It was the place to be this Saturday, December 20th! The elite of the film world gathered at EICAR for the flamboyant closing ceremony of the 7th edition of the “L’Afrique Fait Son Cinéma” (AFSC) festival. Between a sparkling red carpet, moving tributes, and the coronation of the new faces of the 7th Art, here is a look back at an unforgettable evening orchestrated by Blaise Pascal Tanguy.

The Red Carpet Shone Brightly

While the competition was fierce, the magic first happened on the red carpet. Cameras flashed for a constellation of stars who came to celebrate Afro-Caribbean excellence. We spotted the talented director Maïmouna Doucouré, the unavoidable Sidiki Bakaba, and the charismatic Landry Gnamba and Rachid Dhibou. Actresses Isabelle Beke and Izabella Maya, competing in elegance, brought an extra touch of glamour to this gala evening, as did producer Laurence Guichart-Joseph.

Lucien Jean-Baptiste: The Godfather of Hearts ❤️

He was the soul of this edition. Lucien Jean-Baptiste, a figure adored by the public, did more than just make an appearance. A true mentor for the “Next Generation,” he electrified the room with words that still resonate: “The camera is your weapon, emotion is your ammunition.” A sincere commitment and infectious energy that left a mark on everyone present.

Tears and Hope

Beyond the glitter, AFSC 2025 offered moments of rare emotional intensity. The ceremony opened with a vibrant tribute to Dr. Mukwege through the film Muganga, and closed beautifully with Tanoé des lagunes, honoring the memory of Sidiki Bakaba’s wife. As Jessie Claude, Regional Councilor of Île-de-France, so aptly pointed out, cinema has become the most powerful form of “Soft Power”: it is time for Africa to show the world the best it has to offer!

THE OFFICIAL 2025 AWARDS (COMPLETE LIST)

Who are the big winners taking home the coveted “Golden Ubuntus”? Here is the full verdict!

Stars of the Screen (Acting)

They made us cry, laugh, and vibrate. The best actors of the year are:

• Golden Ubuntu for Best Actress: The sublime Amelie Mbaye for L’ai-je bien coupée…
• Golden Ubuntu for Best Actor: The intense Landry Gnamba for Silence Mortel

Feature Films (Fiction)

The big winner of the evening is Melchy Obiang, who achieved the feat of capturing both the Jury’s and the Public’s hearts!

• GOLDEN UBUNTU (The Grail): Deux Hommes Un Destin by Mustapha Ozgun
• SILVER UBUNTU (Tie): Le Cœur des Hommes by Melchy Obiang
• SILVER UBUNTU (Tie): Diya by Achille Renaimou Ronaimou
• BRONZE UBUNTU: Les Fractures Invisibles by Jean-Michel Loutoby
• JURY PRIZE: Silent Storm by Enah Johnscott
• AUDIENCE AWARD: Le Cœur des Hommes by Melchy Obiang

The New Wave (Short Fiction)

• GOLDEN UBUNTU: Ma Détresse by N’dri Bénédicte Kouadio
• SILVER UBUNTU: Ayo by Yolande Eckel & Françoise Ellong-Gomez
• BRONZE UBUNTU: Inconnu by Ahmed Zitouni
• GRAND JURY PRIZE: Magic Mind by Ahmed Mazen

Reality in the Spotlight (Documentaries)

Feature Documentaries

• GOLDEN UBUNTU: Sunu Yoon by Jean-Marie Mallet
• SILVER UBUNTU: Diaze – Un regard sur Mayotte by Solene Anson
• BRONZE UBUNTU: Sur les Traces de Ville Cruelle by Tamnou Koloko & Sarah D. Tchouatcha
• JURY PRIZE: Ndar Saga Waalo by Ousmane-William Mbaye

Short Documentaries

• GOLDEN UBUNTU: Lapo Chapé by Mélissandre Monatus
• SILVER UBUNTU: Des Ailes dZ Elles by Redha Menassel
• BRONZE UBUNTU: Walvis Tale by Tim Huebschle
• JURY PRIZE: No Air to Breathe by Nesrine Lotfy Elzayat

An evening made possible thanks to the support of prestigious partners like the Horyou Foundation and EICAR, who transformed the event into a true showcase for world cinema. See you next year for even more dreams!