Nantes, France — The Festival des 3 Continents, famed for celebrating cinema from Asia, Africa, and Latin America, saw a significant demonstration of resilience and unity in its 46th edition amidst abrupt funding cuts from regional authorities. Despite the financial shakeup, a surge in attendance underscored the community’s unwavering support for the festival and the broader arts and culture sector.
The event, held in the culturally vibrant city of Nantes, spotlighted a rich tapestry of global cinema, drawing an enthusiastic crowd eager to partake in this annual cinematic journey across three continents. In a striking tribute to the arts, the festival unspooled with an array of award-winning films that resonated deeply with the audiences.
The announcement of the festival’s standout features took place at Stereolux, a venue known for its commitment to musical and digital innovation, further highlighting the interconnectivity of various art forms. The evening kicked off with an engaging audio-visual presentation by Khalil Epi AÏCHOUCHE, which beautifully melded traditional Tunisian sounds within an electro-acoustic framework, setting a fittingly creative tone for the proceedings.
In a competitive field of nine international films, the jury, composed of individuals like film director Olivier Babinet, musician Claire Diterzi, director of photography Aymerick Pilarski, and director Cyrielle Raingou, deliberated over the distinct merits of each entry. They awarded the prestigious Montgolfière d’Or to “Hanami” by Denise Fernandes, praised for its sensitive narrative and poetic depth, which left an indelible impact on the panel.
Kohei Igarashi’s nuanced film, “Super Happy Forever”, clinched the Montgolfière d’Argent, commended for its expertly concealed complex constructions beneath a seemingly clear facade. Meanwhile, “The Return of the Projectionist” by Orkhan Aghazadeh won not only a special mention from the main jury for its tender depiction of friendship but also resonated with the Youth Jury, securing their prize as well. The young adjudicators, aged 17 to 24, heralded the film for its profound expression of cinema’s timeless and universal appeal.
The Audience Award went to Marianna Brennand for “Manas”, chosen by festival attendees who cast their votes post-screenings, reiterating the democratic and participatory spirit of the event.
Amidst the awards and accolades, the challenges faced by the festival were palpable. Artistic Director Jérôme Baron pointedly addressed the regional funding cut, emphasizing the societal value of arts and the collective mobilization it has spurred among cultural professionals and enthusiasts.
As the curtains drew on this edition, the festival’s spirit of defiance and solidarity resonated beyond the screening rooms, heralding a message of tenacity and hope for the global arts community. The nominated films are set for encore screenings in the coming days, ensuring that the vibrant heartbeat of the Festival des 3 Continents continues to pulse through the veins of Nantes, and beyond.
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