A decade, going forward : (JCFA) Cinema Days of African Women of the Moving Image - Journées cinématographiques de la femme africaine

A decade, going forward : (JCFA) Cinema Days of African Women of the Moving Image - Journées cinématographiques de la femme africaine

The Journées cinématographiques de la femme africaine - JCFA (Cinema Days of African Women of the Moving Image)  was launched in 2010 under the auspices of FESPACO. The event takes place every two years alternating with FESPACO--thus providing African women stakeholders in cinema a visible presence. Its objective is to promote African women in the cinematic landscape, to examine the challenges that they face in the profession, and to network and establish lasting relationships with other festivals of its kind around the world. The JCFA takes place in the form of a gala though no prizes are awarded. The selected films, however, receive participation trophies called "the Sarraounia".

Burkinabé Laurentine Bayala, filmmaker, film activist and organizer, who also is one of the JCFA journalists who covers the festival events, had this to say:

"I think it's a great initiative that also promotes women's work…It an opportunity for women to discuss the many challenges in cinema. The festival has as objective to promote African films made by women."

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2010 - The first edition, which launched the JCFA, took place from 3 to 7 March 2010 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

2012 - The second edition of the JCFA was held 3 to 8 March 2012 in Ouagadougou and Dédougou, Burkina Faso, around the theme "Women, cinema and professional training". In addition to the objectives highlighted in the theme, the goal of African women in cinema is to effect change in societal norms that impede their development, and to work towards a real future for African women in this milieu.

2014 - The third edition of the JCFA was held from 3 to 7 March 2014 in Ouagadougou and Banfora, host of the International Women's Day celebrations.  There were a variety of screenings, workshops, and symposia around the theme “Women’s Cinemas in Africa”.
Follow link for the announcement on the African Women in Cinema Blog:
https://africanwomenincinema.blogspot.com/2014/02/la-3eme-edition-des-journees.html

2016 - The fourth edition of the JCFA, under the theme, "the actress in the creation of African cinema" took place in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso from 3 to 7 March 2016.
Follow link on the report by Laurentine Bayala on the African Women in Cinema Blog:
https://africanwomenincinema.blogspot.com/2016/03/report-by-compte-rendu-par-laurentine.html

2018 - The fifth edition of the JCFA, held from 2 to 7 March 2018, in Ouagadougou, focused on the theme "the African woman professional meeting the challenges of the digital age". The event included film screenings, a panel on the theme and training workshops on acting, shooting and digital editing.
Follow links on African Women in Cinema Blog of the three-part report compiled by Editor in Chief Laurentine Bayala:
Report - Part III: Journées Cinématographiques de la Femme Africain de l'Image | African Women Image Makers Cinema Days 2018
https://africanwomenincinema.blogspot.com/2018/03/report-part-iii-journees.html

Report - Part II: Journées Cinématographiques de la Femme Africain de l'Image | African Women Image Makers Cinema Days 2018
https://africanwomenincinema.blogspot.com/2018/03/report-part-ii-journees.html

Report - Part I: Journées Cinématographiques de la Femme Africain de l'Image | African Women Image Makers Cinema Days 2018
https://africanwomenincinema.blogspot.com/2018/03/report-part-i-journees.html

2020 - The sixth edition of the JCFA, was held in Ouagadougou from 2 to 7 March 2020 under the theme, “Cinema, Gender and Fighting Violence Against Women”. The theme is a follow up of the revelations at the FESPACO in 2019 during which at a gathering of women the discussion of harassment and violence against women professional within the cinema industry.
Follow links on the African Women in Cinema Blog:
Of the announcement of JCFA 2020
https://africanwomenincinema.blogspot.com/2020/03/journees-cinematographiques-de-la-femme.html
At #Metoo and FESPACO
https://africanwomenincinema.blogspot.com/2019/02/memepaspeur-nothing-to-fear-metoo.html