African Film Restoration and Restitution

This landmark symposium on African Cinema and Restitution will offer a timely and critical discussion bringing together a distinguished group of decision-makers, archivists, academics, filmmakers, and cultural practitioners. It is part of the broader Film Africa 2024 festival, providing a platform for examining one of the most pressing issues in global cultural heritage: the restitution and restoration of African cinema. As African nations continue to navigate postcolonial realities, there has been a growing call to reclaim cultural artefacts, including films, that were appropriated or neglected during and after the colonial era.

This event aims to foster in-depth discussions on the challenges, opportunities, and ethical considerations surrounding the restoration, repatriation, and restitution of African films—an essential aspect of Africa’s broader quest to reclaim its history and heritage.

Key Participants and Conversations

The symposium will feature a diverse range of voices, including filmmakers, archivists, scholars, and cultural policymakers. Key participants include Didi Cheeka (Nigeria), an archivist and researcher known for his work on African film archives; Pedro Pimenta (Mozambique), a renowned producer and archivist; Cecilia Cenciarelli from the Cineteca di Bologna, who has overseen major restoration projects of African films; and Aboubakar Sanogo, an expert on African film heritage and a key figure in the African Film Heritage Project (AFHP) and FEPACI, archivist and filmmaker Mohamed Challouf (Tunisia). The symposium will be moderated by Dr June Givanni, a pioneering international film curator and founder of the June Givanni PanAfrican Cinema Archive.

These experts will guide discussions on the practical and philosophical dimensions of African film restitution and restoration, exploring how these efforts can shape the future of African cinema and its place in global culture.