The CNA, Cinéma Numérique Ambulant Afrique (Mobile Digital Cinema-Africa) : facing the challenges of/face à la COVID-19

 

The CNA, Cinéma Numérique Ambulant Afrique (Mobile Digital Cinema-Africa) : facing the challenges of/face à la COVID-19

 

En français : https://cna-afrique.org/nos-nouvelles/aout-2020

From the CNA Newsletter August 2020 (translation from French): Le  Cinéma Numérique Ambulant Afrique (Mobile Digital Cinema-Africa) : facing the challenges of Covid-19.

Interviews with the CNA Afrique president Kadidia Sidibe, who is also president of CNA Mali and Stéphanie Dongmo, president of CNA Cameroon.

Interview with Kadidia Sidibe

The CNA is an international network of not-for-profit associations. The CNA Afrique, headquartered in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, is present in 10 countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali,  Niger,  Senegal,  Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Central Africa and France). Committed to the rights of the artist (copyright laws) CNA Africa is dedicated to the distribution of (subtitled) African and European cinemas as it relates to Culture and Development.

Presentation of the structure and the different activities currently in progress.

Established in Mali in 2004 with a European Union-grant, the CNA Mali is a cultural association that presents films to populations, in both rural and urban areas (cities and villages, in public spaces or university campuses, etc.) regardless of the social status of the beneficiaries. Its motto is “CINEMA FOR ALL, CINEMA EVERYWHERE. "

What has been the impact of Covid-19 on your activities?

Our activities have been on pause since the start of Covid-19 in March. Gatherings of more that 50 people are prohibited, as a result our projects have been postponed or actually cancelled. We are obliged to limit our spending to essential expenditures only.  If these measures continue to be enforced based on the evolution of the situation, a technical layoff will have to be imposed on half of the staff, and they will be given notice in time to adjust to the situation.

What strategies employed currently as a result of the health crisis?

There is not much work at the moment. We made proposals to our various partners but due to the [Covid-related] measures adopted by the authorities, there has been no favorable response at the moment. We have tried to be innovative but the feedback from donors is rather hesitant, not to go as far as saying non-existent.

What are some of the proposals to remedy the situation and to work better in this context?

Among other things, we have submitted scenarios for the production of short films to raise awareness regarding Covid-19. There are ongoing discussions but we are still waiting for something concrete. As for future projections, they are slow to come. Nonetheless, we are continuing to discuss possible research for solutions so that common projects can be implemented but that too seems to have not garnered results.

Interview with Stéphanie Dongmo

Presentation of the structure and the different activities currently in progress.


Created in January 2012, the CNA Cameroon is headquartered in Yaoundé. It organizes an average of 150 screenings per year for audiences who do not generally have access to the arts and culture.
Since September 2019, the CNA has led the “Cine-debate for peace” project with the support of "Culture at Work" and the co-financing of the European Union in the regions most affected by the Anglophone crisis in Cameroon, in particular the North-West, South-West, West, Littoral and Central. The first phase of this project consisted of the creation of "micro-sidewalks" in which the populations of the five regions of the project give their opinion on this crisis which has lasted for three years, and talk about how their lives continue to be affected. These "micro-sidewalks" were then broadcast in forty localities of the target regions, which triggered debates on cultural diversity, living together and peace.

The second phase entails the organization of three conferences on peace. The first in Yaoundé, the second in Douala and the third in Dschang. Professionals in the culture sector, community leaders, heads of organizations working in the field, religious leaders… will reflect on solutions to end the crisis and the construction of peace, beyond lines of division.

The second project we are working on is an awareness campaign on sexual and reproductive health in the Noun department, in western Cameroon, in partnership with the NGO Médecins du monde Suisse. This project was interrupted due to Covid-19, but we are working to relaunch it.

How has Covid-19 affected your activities?

Because of Covid 19 we were forced to stop all our activities. We can no longer meet deadlines, we are obliged to resort to amendments. For three long months, we could not work and our projection team came to a standstill. 
                 
What are strategies employed currently as a result of the health crisis?

We plan to organize screenings in movie theaters starting in August, with a maximum of 50 participants in order to adhere to the measures enforced by the Cameroonian government. We will respect social distancing by placing the spectators at least 1 meter apart, by requiring that masks be worn in order to participate in the activity and ensuring that everyone washes their hands when entering the space. We will also integrate Covid-19 awareness into our activities.

What are some of the proposals to remedy the situation and to work better in this context?

Digital technology and social networks have proven to be a powerful tool for communication and for maintaining social ties during this period. This should be taken into account in our future projects.

CNA AFRIQUE: Kadidia Sidibé, President! | Présidente !

CNA AFRIQUE: Kadidia Sidibé, President! | Présidente !

SOURCE : CNA - http://www.cna-afrique.org 

Photo : CNA

[English] Français ci-après

CNA AFRIQUE: KADIDIA, PRESIDENT!

Since September 2015, Malian Kadidia Sidibé has been the president of Cinema Numérique Ambulant (CNA) Afrique (Mobile digital cinema, Africa). Headquartered in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, it is the coordinating structure of all of the CNAs based on the continent. Elected by her colleagues, she takes over from the Beninese Rosalie N'Dah, who led CNA Afrique since its creation in 2008.

Kadidia Sidibé, previously vice president of CNA Afrique, places her two-year term under the emblem of reconciliation, at a time when the CNA network is going through a crisis of confidence, shaped by national economic and security challenges which force many organizations to operate at a reduced level. "My priorities are to give a new dynamic to the CNA, at the same time to work for peace and cohesion. I call on the leaders of CNA and of countries, to come together in solidarity. We need to consult each other and collaborate to find sustainable solutions in a peaceful environment," she says. The message is clearly that of reconciliation and joining forces.

Kadidia Sidibé also intends to infuse vitality in CNA Afrique strong enough to move the other CNAs forward. "Although the CNA has gone through difficult periods, I expect a better tomorrow. But this would only be possible if trust is restored" she continues.

She intends to apply the managerial strategy that she was able to successfully implement in Mali to the CNA Afrique: "A good leader is always listening to others. While a shepherd manages the herd with a single stick, a manager must manage each with a particular stick. "

MAMA KADI

Kadidia Sidibe, who is 50 years old, came to the Cinéma Numérique Ambulant in 2004 when the CNA was introduced in Mali after the creation of units in Benin and Niger. Her talents as field facilitator were quickly noticed. Her straightforward and frank manner, her voluntarism and the care she gives to the most needy, make her one of the most popular leaders of the CNA. The CNA Mali board trusted her and hence entrusted her with the presidency of the association. This trust has since been renewed several times.

She has led the CNA Mali, which until the crisis in Mali was the most successful, with four mobile projection units organizing daily outdoor sessions. Mama Kadi, as she is known with great affection in the CNA family, does not give up when confronted with the crisis. She fights with courage to bring cinema and hope to people in northern Mali affected by war.

Hence, a woman with proven courage and a firm desire for unity now presides over CNA Afrique. The structure has eight member associations, which includes the CNAs of Benin, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Togo, Cameroon and Chad. CNA Afrique aims to strengthen and develop the CNA network.

Its main tasks are to provide technical and financial support to the CNA associations according to their capacities, and to regulate employee training policy, to harmonise financial practices, manage film copyright, etc. The CNA Afrique is supported by Africalia Belgium and UEMOA.

See related link: Rosalie Ndah, president of CNA Afrique talks about the CNA tribute to women at Fespaco 2013 

[Français]

CNA AFRIQUE: KADIDIA, PRESIDENTE!

Depuis septembre 2015, la Malienne Kadidia Sidibé est la présidente du Cinéma Numérique Ambulant (CNA) Afrique, la structure de coordination de l’ensemble des CNA installés sur le continent et dont le siège se trouve à Ouagadougou, au Burkina Faso. Elue par ses pairs, elle remplace à ce poste la Béninoise Rosalie N’Dah, qui a conduit le CNA Afrique depuis sa création en 2008.

Kadidia Sidibé, qui était précédemment vice-présidente du CNA Afrique, place son mandat de deux ans sous le signe de la réconciliation, au moment où le réseau des CNA traverse une crise de confiance, qui vient s’ajouter aux défis économiques et sécuritaires nationales qui contraignent bien des associations à fonctionner au ralenti. « Mes priorités sont de donner une nouvelle dynamique au CNA, mais également d’instaurer la paix et la cohésion. J’appelle les responsables des CNA/pays à la solidarité. Concertons nous et unissons-nous pour trouver des solutions durables dans un climat apaisé», lance-t-elle. Le message est clairement celui de la réconciliation et du rassemblement.

Kadidia Sidibé entend aussi travailler au dynamisme du CNA Afrique qui doit être assez fort pour tirer les autres CNA vers le haut. « Bien que le CNA traverse des périodes difficiles, je prévois des lendemains meilleurs. Mais cela ne serait possible que si la confiance règne de nouveau », poursuit-elle.

Elle compte ainsi appliquer au CNA Afrique, une stratégie managériale qu’elle a eu l’occasion d’expérimenter avec succès au Mali : « Un bon responsable est toujours à l'écoute des autres. Alors qu’un berger gère le troupeau avec un seul bâton, un responsable doit gérer chacun avec un bâton individuel ».

MAMA KADI

Agée de 50 ans, Kadidia Sidibé arrive au Cinéma Numérique Ambulant en 2004, au moment où le CNA se met en place au Mali, après avoir créé des unités au Bénin et au Niger. Ses talents d’animatrice de terrain se font rapidement remarquer. Son parler direct et franc, son volontarisme et la sollicitude qu’elle porte aux plus démunies font d’elles l’une des animatrices les plus appréciées du CNA. Le conseil d’administration du CNA Mali lui fait confiance et lui confie ainsi la présidence de l’association. Cette confiance a, depuis, été plusieurs fois renouvelée.

Elle conduit le CNA Mali qui, jusqu’à la crise malienne, était le CNA le plus prospère avec quatre unités mobiles de projection organisant des séances en plein air au quotidien. Mama Kadi, comme on l’appelle volontiers dans la famille CNA avec beaucoup d’affection, ne baisse pour autant pas les bras face à la crise. Elle se bat avec courage pour apporter le cinéma et l’espoir même aux populations du Nord Mali lésées par la guerre.

C’est donc une femme au courage éprouvé et au désir certain d’unité qui préside désormais aux destinées du CNA Afrique. La structure compte huit associations membres. Notamment les CNA du Bénin, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Sénégal, Togo, Cameroun et Tchad. Le CNA Afrique a pour objectif de renforcer et de développer le réseau CNA. 

Ses principales missions sont d’appuyer techniquement et financièrement les associations CNA selon ses capacités, de piloter la politique de formation des salariés, d’harmoniser les pratiques financières, de gérer les droits des films, etc. Le CNA Afrique est soutenu par Africalia Belgium et l’UEMOA.

À lire aussi : Le CNA célèbre les femmes du Fespaco 2013 : Rosalie Ndah, présidente du CNA Afrique nous en parle