Ecrans Noirs Festival (Ecrans Noirs)
Ecrans Noirs is a Cameroonian international film festival founded in 1997 by director Bassek Ba Kobhio. It is held annually in the city of Yaoundé and, on exceptional occasions, in Douala, Cameroon.
About the festival
Ecrans Noirs is a non-profit organization that has become, over the years, a key event for Cameroonian and African cinema. Its mission is to promote and distribute African films, whether produced on the continent, by the diaspora, or depicting Africa in all its forms.
The first edition, held from May 31 to June 7, 1997, marked the beginning of a cultural adventure that continues unabated.
Objectives
The festival's overall objective is to promote the development of cinema and audiovisual media in Cameroon and the Central African sub-region. To achieve this, Ecrans Noirs has set itself several specific missions:
• To showcase the best of African film and audiovisual production;
• To make these works accessible to all audiences;
• To encourage creation and production in Central Africa;
• To promote the distribution of national and regional productions;
• To provide a space for exchange and co-productions among professionals from across the continent;
• To strengthen technical skills through training and professional development for those working in the sector.
Festival Activities
Each year, this festival, usually held in Yaoundé, Cameroon, is driven by a theme around which its entire program is based. For seven days, invited festival-goers spread out across the various festival venues, with the Festival Village as the focal point. Numerous activities take place there, including screenings of films in and out of competition, conferences and symposiums, meetings between professionals and the public, training workshops, the "10 Days for a Film" competition, the Miss Ecrans Noirs pageant, the Kids Corner Cinema, and more.
Festival editions
Each edition highlights a different facet of cinema, building year after year a genuine celebration of African film.
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In 12 days
2026 Edition - Ecrans Noirs (Ecrans Noirs Festival)
Upcoming Latest edition21 Nov — 28 Nov 2026
The 30th edition of the Écrans Noirs Film Festival will take place from November 21 to 28, 2026, in Yaoundé, with additional events hosted in Douala. Marking the 30th anniversary of this landmark African cinema event, this jubilee edition will celebrate three decades of promoting, distributing, and championing film creations from across the continent and its diaspora. Throughout a week of cultural immersion, the festival will gather directors, producers, actors, and film enthusiasts around a prestigious official selection of narrative feature films, shorts, documentaries, and series. Alongside screenings and official competitions honoring top African works, this 30th edition will feature key industry spaces including symposia, masterclasses, professional workshops, and film markets, reaffirming Écrans Noirs' pivotal role in advancing the African film industry.
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2025 Edition - Ecrans Noirs (Ecrans Noirs Festival)
20 Sep — 27 Sep 2025
The 29th edition of the Ecrans Noirs festival was held in Yaoundé from September 20 to 27, 2025.
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Quick facts
- Country
- Cameroon
- Cities
- Yaoundé
- Event type
- Festival
- Creation year
- 1997
- Organizer
- Association Ecrans Noirs
- Founder
- Bassek Ba Kobhio
- Leaders
- Bassek Ba Kobhio
- Site
- www.ecransnoirs.org/
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Articles about the festival
Appel à candidatures stagiaires et des bénévoles pour sa 30ᵉ édition des Ecrans Noirs
Le festival ouvre les candidatures dans six départements. Les dossiers sont attendus au plus tard le 30 octobre 2026.
Festival Écrans Noirs : la Sélection Officielle de la 30e édition Dévoilée
Le Festival Écrans Noirs a dévoilé, le 29 septembre 2026 à Yaoundé, sa sélection officielle. Sur les 423 œuvres reçues, 38 représentants 18 pays ont été retenues pour cette édition anniversaire, prévue du 21 au 28 novembre 2026.
