Brazzaville screens open for fresh voices
The hum of projectors will return to the Institut français du Congo on 16 October as the second edition of “Portes ouvertes du cinéma” unfurls its red carpet. Organisers promise an evening where new visions from Congo-Brazzaville and resident international filmmakers meet curious urban audiences.
Born in 2022, the one-night showcase was imagined as a friendly gateway between creators and moviegoers, far from the pressure of traditional competitions. Its success has encouraged La Forge Production, led by director Armel Luyzo Mboumba, to renew the invitation and widen the call for entries.
Free submission, wide reach
Applying costs nothing, a deliberate choice meant to dismantle one of the biggest hurdles facing emerging talent. Candidates simply email laforgeprod@gmail.com before 10 October, attaching a private viewing link, full technical sheet and a signed authorisation allowing the single screening.
If the film is not in French, subtitles are required to guarantee that every spectator, from students to seasoned cinephiles, can follow the narrative. Organisers forward a ready-to-sign form covering the free exhibition rights once they receive the files.
Shorts, docs, animation: all welcome
The event focuses on short and mid-length works, yet refuses to box creators into one style. Fiction, documentary, animation and experimental films are equally encouraged, reflecting the eclectic taste of a generation raised on streaming platforms and smartphone storytelling.
Programmers emphasise that the final line-up will balance first-time directors and more experienced voices. “The mix keeps the room electric,” notes Mboumba, who sees the initiative as “a testing ground where ideas, soundtracks and editing tricks can safely clash.”
Why visibility matters
For many young Congolese directors, public screenings remain scarce and festival travel costly. A free evening in downtown Brazzaville therefore represents more than two hours of entertainment; it is a career step, a chance to gauge live reactions and polish future pitches.
Previous participants confirm the impact. “After last year’s applause, I tweaked my script and found a co-producer,” recalls filmmaker Joël Bissio, whose documentary on street football later toured university campuses. Such ripple effects motivate the team to keep seats free and doors open.
Building a community around cinema
Beyond the screen, the foyer buzzes with impromptu masterclasses. Viewers question lighting choices, sound designers trade contacts, and students from the National School of Arts swap storyboards. The French Institute’s courtyard becomes, for one night, a networking hub equal parts professional and festive.
Local critics also attend, offering instant feedback that often proves more valuable than awards. Their articles in cultural weeklies and social feeds amplify the selected films, extending their lifespan well past the closing credits.
A platform aligned with national creative goals
Congo-Brazzaville’s authorities have repeatedly highlighted culture as an engine of youth employment. Initiatives like Portes ouvertes du cinéma dovetail with that agenda by equipping storytellers with exposure and by stimulating micro-economies around production, from costume rental to post-production studios.
“Every time the lights dim, new jobs appear in the dark,” smiles Mboumba, who believes that free, well-curated showcases can nurture a self-sustaining local industry allied, not opposed, to broader development plans.
Key dates and checklist
Deadline: 10 October midnight Brazzaville time. Accepted formats: HD files viewable via YouTube private link, Vimeo, Drive or WeTransfer. Required materials: poster, synopsis, runtime, genre, crew list, French subtitles if needed, signed release for the 16 October screening.
Selected filmmakers will receive confirmation by email and social-media tag. Rehearsal tests at the Institute take place 14 October to guarantee sound and image quality. The public screening on 16 October starts at 18:30 and remains free, first-come first-served.
