In Western Africa, «L’arbre à palabres» is a traditional gathering place (usually under a baobab tree) where people discuss important decisions for the future of the community. It is a place of debates and exchanges of experiences and projects.
We have decided to call this guide « sous l’arbre à palabres III » to symbolize a mine of information and experiences in order to help cinema people to produce their movies.
The first edition of «sous l’arbre à palabres » grew out of the dialog between our magazine « Le Film Africain & du Sud » and its readers -producers or filmmakers- who were searching for useful information about obtaining funding for their projects.
In “French cinematic culture”, concerning cinemas made in Africa, Latin America and in some part of Asia (as a way not to call them “third world cinemas”), we are used to talk about “Cinémas du Sud”. Those “south” cinemas which can get support from Fonds Sud (France), Hubert Bals Fund (Holland), World Cinema Fund (Germany), Visions Sud Est (Swiss)... This “South” does not exist in terms of geography, it concerns the countries supported by these different funds. We will also present, some specific supports to specific zones: ACP (E.U. Funds for Africa, Caraïb and Pacific countries members of the Cotonou Convention), IBERMEDIA (special supporting program between Spain, Portugal and Latin American countries)...
In February 2011 we published the third edition of our guide “Sous l’Arbre à Palabres”, (a book in French on the occasion of the Fespaco –Ouagadougou Pan African film festival). In May, we launched this website in Cannes Film Festival.
This very last edition (Sous l’arbre à palabres III) presents in chapter one, the various available types of supports to South countries -in all stages of creation- such as funding or grants: the international ones and the local supports in every southern countries.
Chapter two takes care of training seminars and co-production workshops such as cinema schools.
The final chapter offers several analysis and comments from various sources in order to help a better understanding of the supports. At the moment, this section is only in French. But we hope to receive your advice concerning the different funds and your experience with these financial opportunities. Chapter one and chapter two are in French, English and Spanish languages.
We would be grateful too if you could help us keeping this site updated by communicating us any changes or information.
This website has been created by the Amiens International Film Festival with the support of the French Ministry of foreign affairs and the National Center of cinematography and animated Image (CNC).
Jean-Pierre Garcia
