May 14, 2025, marks the opening of the 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival, the world’s most prestigious cinematic event. While the Croisette once again prepares to welcome the industry’s biggest stars and unveil the most anticipated films of the year, one space is drawing increasing attention from professionals and cinephiles alike: Pavillon Afriques. Since its launch in 2019, this unique initiative has become the home of African and Afro-descendant cinema at Cannes. And in 2025, it returns with a bold, committed, and deeply human program, spotlighting talent from Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, and the Americas.
Pavillon Afriques: More Than a Screening Space
Created to address the glaring lack of African representation in global film circles, Pavillon Afriques has positioned itself as a strategic platform for professionals from Africa and its diaspora. The initiative goes far beyond film screenings—it offers an immersive experience, a space for networking, reflection, business opportunities, and cultural exchange.
The mission is clear: to champion African visual storytelling, promote Africa as a vibrant filming destination, and connect creatives with the global film industry. It is not merely an addition to the Cannes Film Market—it is a vehicle for structural transformation, helping to rebalance the global narrative landscape.
A Rich and Diverse Lineup
In 2025, Pavillon Afriques’ screenings will span eight days, from May 14 to May 21, featuring films that delve into a variety of themes—from cultural traditions and postcolonial history to family conflict, social justice, and spiritual quests.
Each screening is followed by a Q&A session with the filmmakers and cast, offering a rare opportunity for audiences to engage with the creative minds behind the work and understand the context and inspiration of each story.
Opening Day – Wednesday, May 14
The pavilion opens at 5:30 PM with Louisiana My Home; Paris I Roam, a documentary by Audrey Littleton (France/USA) that blends music, memory, and cultural diplomacy. At 7:00 PM, Furu by Malian director Fatou Cissé explores traditional views on marriage and female sexuality in rural Mali.
Documentaries, Shorts, and Powerful Stories
On Thursday, May 15, American filmmaker Carole Copeland presents Something About Tomorrow, a short film on how addiction can tear families apart. At 7:00 PM, 3X Freedom, an anthology documentary co-directed by Deadria Farmer-Paellmann and colleagues, explores the lingering legacies of slavery in modern judicial, corporate, and cultural systems.
Friday, May 16, brings stories from Nigeria and Canada, starting with The General’s Son by Angela Onuora, followed by the dramedy A Warm Christmas by Regina Ohiama Udalor. The evening closes with The Length of a Rope, a haunting Kenyan short about three sisters confronting their past.
Saturday, May 17 – Heroines and Dilemmas
At 5:30 PM, Torn by Rachelle Le Blanc tells the emotional story of a young mother torn between her devoted partner and her husband who awakens from an eight-year coma. At 7:00 PM, Osamede, a fantasy epic by Nigerian filmmaker Lilian Olubi, follows a warrior chosen by the gods to fight colonial invaders and a rising tyrant.
Identity, Spirituality, and Diaspora Success
On Sunday, May 18, Enough! by Kerwin Thompson takes on the mental battles faced by artists struggling with imposter syndrome. Brain Drain, a documentary by Collins Dike Akpapunam, investigates why Nigerian immigrants in the USA achieve notable success. To wrap up the day, comedian Barry Brewer Jr. performs Almost Jaded, a one-man show full of humor and introspection.
Monday, May 19, offers a spiritual journey with Soul of Africa by Gabriel Souleyka, a documentary about ancestral divinities in Togo and their role in contemporary African life. On Tuesday, Brewer returns with Standby, a bittersweet comedy about life’s unexpected turns.
A Grand Finale – Wednesday, May 21
The final day opens with The Tall Boy, a documentary by Life Garland that tells the story of a man from a small Caribbean island who became a legend—and then lost it all. At 5:30 PM, Double Play by Ernest Dickerson—adapted from Frank Martinus Arion’s novel Dubbelspel—examines the social dynamics of Curaçao through a life-altering game of dominoes.
A Space for Transformation and Hope
Pavillon Afriques doesn’t just present films—it challenges mainstream narratives, offering authentic and multifaceted perspectives often missing from Western screens. It is a platform for cinematic empowerment, helping to construct a more inclusive and equitable industry while building bridges across continents through the power of storytelling.
By giving voice to African and Afro-descendant creators, Pavillon Afriques redefines representation at one of the world’s most prestigious stages—and in doing so, invites the world to listen, learn, and connect.
Full Screening Schedule – Pavillon Afriques 2025
Wednesday, May 14
- 5:30 PM – Louisiana My Home; Paris I Roam – Audrey Littleton (France/USA) – 55 min
- 7:00 PM – Furu – Fatou Cissé (Mali) – 72 min
Thursday, May 15
- 5:30 PM – Something About Tomorrow – Carole Copeland (USA) – 28 min
- 7:00 PM – 3X Freedom – D. Farmer-Paellmann, J. Whitfield, T. Washington (USA) – 50 min
Friday, May 16
- 5:30 PM – The General’s Son – Angela Onuora (Canada/Nigeria) – 20 min
- 7:00 PM – A Warm Christmas – Regina Ohiama Udalor (Nigeria) – 76 min
- 9:00 PM – The Length of a Rope – Kelvin Osoo & Miriam Koske – 16 min
Saturday, May 17
- 5:30 PM – Torn – Rachelle Le Blanc (USA) – 23 min
- 7:00 PM – Osamede – Lilian Olubi (Nigeria) – 1h50
Sunday, May 18
- 5:30 PM – Enough! – Kerwin Thompson (USA) – 14 min
- 7:00 PM – Brain Drain – Collins Dike Akpapunam (USA) – 35 min
- 8:00 PM – Almost Jaded – Barry Brewer Jr – Comedy Special
Monday, May 19
- 7:30 PM – Soul of Africa – Gabriel Souleyka (France/Togo) – 1h07
Tuesday, May 20
- 7:30 PM – Standby – Barry Brewer Jr (USA) – Runtime TBD
Wednesday, May 21
- 11:30 AM – The Tall Boy – Life Garland – 30 min
- 5:30 PM – Double Play – Ernest Dickerson – Runtime TBD
Pavillon Afriques – Cannes Film Festival 2025
From May 13 to May 21, 2025
All screenings followed by Q&A sessions – Access subject to availability
More info on Cannes Film Festival | Pavillon Afriques
