Cotonou came alive as the International Women’s Film Festival celebrated the power and creativity of Africa’s female filmmakers, drawing over 1,000 attendees to its fourth edition. Set at the symbolic Place de l’Amazone, the festival honored stories tackling grief, exploitation, resilience, and revenge through 18 short films from 14 countries. The coveted Amazone awards spotlighted standout talents, with Dorcas Ganmagba winning Best Documentary for exposing harsh mourning practices in southern Benin, while Hana Halia Lebo Traoré earned Best Performance for a gripping drama about teenage blackmail. The top prize went to Nigerian director Abessi Akhamie for a sharp, feminist comedy that turns heartbreak into calculated revenge. As the festival closes until 2028, FIFF Cotonou has left a lasting mark on African cinema’s next generation of women storytellers.
Africanews
