Victoria:Seychellois filmmaker Kurt Lagrenade won the Best Fiction award at the second Francophone Film Festival in Seychelles, which concluded with a ceremony celebrating filmmaking from the French-speaking world.
According to Seychelles News Agency, the closing ceremony took place at the Seychelles Institute of Teacher Education (SITE) auditorium at Mont Fleuri and was attended by First Lady Veronique Herminie. She encouraged young Seychellois to explore filmmaking to share the country's history, culture, and identity internationally.
The festival, which included filmmakers from Seychelles and other French-speaking regions, awarded prizes in seven categories. The Grand Prix was awarded to Manon Amacouty from Reunion Island, while Danielson Rado from Madagascar received the Best Documentary award for "Madagasikara, la Révolution." Other notable winners included Michele Corali, who received the Special Jury Prize, and Tojonirina Nekena Ifaliana from Madagascar, who won the Youth Prize. Jimmy Bassien from Guadeloupe was awarded the Heritage and Culture Prize, while La Misère Primary School in Seychelles received the Young Francophone Ambassadors Prize.
First Lady Herminie spoke at the event, highlighting the potential of cinema to provide career opportunities for young people in small island states like Seychelles. She expressed her personal appreciation for cinema and encouraged young filmmakers to use their creativity to promote Seychelles' cultural identity globally.
One of the festival's activities was a 48-hour filmmaking challenge, where young participants had two days to create short films. The challenge aimed to introduce young people to filmmaking and develop their storytelling skills. Participants received certificates for their efforts, and a teaser for an upcoming film by young Seychellois filmmaker Joshua Sofola was showcased.
Antoine Trarieux, Deputy Head of Mission of the French Embassy in Seychelles, described the festival as a platform for cultural exchange and promoting the French language. He emphasized the importance of providing opportunities for young Seychellois to practice French through creative activities like filmmaking.
The festival was organized by the Seychelles National Commission for Francophonie, the Ligue de l'Enseignement des Seychelles - Leventay, and the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, in partnership with the French Embassy, Ethiopian Airlines, and La Pasyans.