This year’s Cannes Film Festival put the spotlight not only on premieres and red carpets but also on the legacy and custodianship of African cinema. A roundtable at the Cinémas du Monde pavilion sparked powerful discussions on who owns cultural memory and who decides what gets preserved. As six African films competed, the urgent call to reclaim Africa’s cinematic past rang louder, from restoring flood-damaged reels to challenging monopolized distribution rights. With vibrant scenes from La Croisette blending with deeply reflective masterclasses and debates, the festival became more than a showcase, morphing into a battleground for heritage. Cannes reminded us that the future of film depends just as much on how we honor and protect its memory.
Daily Maverick
