Lights, Camera, Action! EMERGENCE: the 12th Edition Shaping Tomorrow's African Cinema

The Emerging African Film Festival, EMERGENCE, has officially kicked off its 12th edition in Lomé, the Togolese capital. From 1 to 6 November 2025, the event is turning Lomé and Kpalimé into crossroads of the seventh art, serving as a vital platform for the continent's emerging talent .

Looking Back at an Opening Night Rich in Symbolism

The opening night, held on 1 November 2025 in a packed Canal Olympia Godopé, was poetically hosted by Mygiab, the star of Togolese slam poetry.

The festival's founder, Joël Tchedre, addressed the audience and an array of distinguished guests to present the programme of this 12th edition, taking place between Lomé and Kpalimé, and to highlight the importance of having 11 countries at this edition, with Senegal as guest country of honour. He also pointed to another source of pride: the two jury presidents, for feature films and short films, are both women.

The event was also honoured by the presence of veteran Burkinabè actor Gustave Sorgho, who came as patron to offer words of encouragement to the filmmakers, thanks to the audience and appreciation to the festival team.

Cooperation and Opening Screenings

Senegal, the guest country of honour, called for fruitful cooperation through the voice of Angèle Diabang, head of the delegation and president of the feature film jury. In response, Mr Koffi Kpaye, Chief of Staff at the Ministry of Culture, assured the audience on behalf of his ministry of the forthcoming signing of a co-production agreement between Senegal and Togo, opening up exciting prospects for the sector.

On the film front, the evening celebrated determination and talent:

• The Senegalese short film SOXAMOON, by Ibou Barry Combé, came with a revelation: it was shot on just 5.5 million CFA francs, far below the 40 million initially estimated. Proof of the passion of young filmmakers across the continent.
• The premiere of the Togolese film SIFA, La gardienne de nos terres (102 minutes), directed by Dhemanane Kafechina, was a moment of national pride. The crew of the film, shot in the beautiful Badou region and centred on the fierce struggle over land inheritance, shared behind-the-scenes anecdotes and the sacrifices each member made to bring this project, with a budget of around 20,000 dollars, to life.

The Days So Far: Training, Visits and Competition

The EMERGENCE Festival has not been idle since its opening. After a start focused on training workshops (Short Film Lab, Acting Workshop), the days have been built around art and social commitment:

• Sunday 2 November in Kpalimé combined sightseeing with open-air film screenings.
• Monday 3 November brought together social action and culture with a visit to the CHAM centre and a gathering at the Paul Ahyi Museum for screenings of films in competition.
• Tuesday 4 November notably featured a round table with Angèle Diabang on literary adaptation for the screen and a screening of audio-described films by KIPEPEO, reflecting the festival's openness and accessibility. Screenings of films in competition brought the day to a close.

The Final Days: What's On on 5 and 6 November!

The EMERGENCE Festival is entering its most intense phase. Today, Wednesday 5 November, the programme focuses on professionals and the general public:

• The morning at École Mariam is dedicated to the Espace Ciné Jeunesse youth cinema strand, with a screening of the film Une si longue lettre.
• The afternoon will host key round tables at the Institut Français, tackling important topics such as the challenges of the acting profession, audiovisual piracy in Africa, and Senegalese cinema yesterday and today.
• The evening will end with the eagerly awaited African Series Night, following screenings of films in competition.

The Grand Finale: Thursday 6 November

The festival will reach its climax on Thursday 6 November 2025, the final day, devoted to reflection and reward.

Professionals will be able to attend an AI and Creativity Panel and a Master Class, Women in Cinema, at the Institut Français. Pitch sessions will follow.

Finally, from 8.30 pm, all eyes will turn to the Auditorium for the Closing Ceremony and Awards. This will be the decisive moment when the films in competition, from Morocco, Togo, Senegal, Benin and many other countries, are honoured. A highlight that will crown the success of this 12th edition of EMERGENCE.

The EMERGENCE Festival is without doubt an unmissable annual event in Lomé for all lovers of African cinema, today's and tomorrow's.
See you today and tomorrow for the grand finale!

Pélagie BLEWUSSI