Fig Tree (2018)

"16 year old Jewish Mina, is trying to navigate between a surreal routine dictated by the civil war in Ethiopia...


Read More...

Enkopa (2018)

"Enkopa depicts the struggles of an Ethiopian young woman, Enkopa, who wants to travel to Canada through neighboring country Sudan...


Read More...

Faya Dayi (2021)

"A spiritual journey into the highlands of Harar, immersed in the rituals of khat, a leaf Sufi Muslims chewed for...


Read More...

Quragnaye - Enchaine...

'This is magic realism at its best. Combining breath-taking landscapes with superb performances piqued by humour and irony, Tafesse takes...


Read More...
1234

Help Haile Gerima crowdfund for his new film YETUT LIJ

Support Haile Gerima new film

Join the award-winning filmmaker behind TEZA, SANKOFA & BUSH MAMA on a new journey. 

This is your chance to earn a master class with Ethiopia's Haile Gerima and help him make his latest film a reality ...  

Read more

 

Dukale's Dream

dukales-dream-movie-with-hugh-jackman-189

A documentary about the inspiration behind Hugh Jackman's fair trade coffee company... 

Read more

The Lamb

ZELEKE Yared story

An Ethiopian drama film directed by Yared Zeleke ...

Read more

Ethiopian Filmmakers return from Cannes film festival


ADDIS ABABA – June 1st, 2010 -Three emerging Ethiopian Filmmakers ended their first ever visit to the Côte d’Azur, having stopovers at the 63rd Cannes International Film Festival and in Monte Carlo. 

Moges Tafesse, Yeneakal Tamrat and Yemane Tsegaye came from Addis Ababa to Cannes, France and Monaco via the sponsorship of the Ethiopian Film Initiative (EFI) and the International Emerging Film Talent Association (IETFA).

They presented a series of films produced during a documentary training workshop funded by UNESCO in 2009 on how to shoot, write and produce socially responsible documentary films aiming to promote tolerance and mutual understanding.

In Cannes, in a whirlwind two days, they were introduced to the international film world. They participated in dialogues with filmmakers, distributors, sales representatives, buyers, world press, film festival directors, financing entities and other film industry personnel. They discussed the needs of the emerging film industry in Ethiopia and the opportunities the country presents for international filmmakers. And, in true Cannes style, they attended industry receptions in hotels and terraces parties where they hobnobbed with such stars as Ludacris.  Also present in Cannes at the Cinémas du Monde Pavilion was internationally renowned cinematographer Abraham Haile Biru, promoting his upcoming feature film “Queleh”.

“It was a once in a lifetime experience for me,” stated Yeneakal Tamrat. It was amazing as a young Ethiopian filmmaker to be walking around Cannes and learning how to sell and market my work on a world level.”

“I am very happy with the reaction we received,” said Moges Tafessse. ‘We are three emerging film talents from a country with tremendous culture and beauty but that doesn't have major film industry, which we are hoping to change, and everyone we met was open and giving of their time and information to help"

“It was an eye opening experience, one that led us all to believe that Ethiopian films have the potential of earning an international audience and that we can claim our share in the international film market. I can’t wait to go back and start working on my next project” Yemane Tsegaye announced.

Following their successful foray into the non-stop world of the international movie business, the three headed to Monte Carlo where their films were presented by the IEFTA at a standing room only event hosted by the International University of Monaco.  The reaction amongst many of the attending media and the IEFTA and EFI sponsors was overwhelmingly positive.

The next day was spent in a seminar at the International University of Monaco where the filmmakers learned from a panel of industry professionals.  The morning session was dominated by learning how to finance their projects using different methods.  The panel members consisted of the moderator, an entertainment lawyer, film commission/fund representative, sales agent/distributor and producer.  In the afternoon session, they ‘pitched’ their upcoming projects to a panel consisting of a funder, buyer, distributor and publicity/marketing team.

Both the EFI and the IEFTA will continue to support the education and hands-on assistance for the emerging Ethiopian filmmakers and film industry.

For more information contact EFI at
+251-11-155-3172

www.ethiopianfilminitiative.org

 

The Mentorship Programme for Emerging Film-Makers

iefta efi

Read More

 

Films by Haile Gerima

Films by legendary Ethiopian film-maker, and member of the Los Angeles School of Black Film Makers 1970's movement, as well as professor of film at Howard University Haile Gerima The films are available from Sankofa Video Books and Cafe

Film Festivals in Ethiopia

  •  colours of the nile
  • ETHIOFF
  • Addis film festival

EFI Socially Responsible Films

  • Ethiopia comes with many faces. It is a country rich of over 80 different ethnic groups, identities and culture. Read more
  • “Andinet” (Unity) is an emerging dance club led by Henok and perfoms for local communities in Ethiopia... Read more
  • Garbis Korajian is a third generation Armenian born and raised in Ethiopia. His family first came to Ethiopia over 120 years ago. Read more
  • A street separates a church and a mosque. A story about religious tolerance. Read more

EFI Environment Films

  • “Troubled Waters” is a new environmental documentary on the Akaki River in Ethiopia...Read more
  • ”Parga” is a 3:30 minute long documentary which gives insight into how the people of Konso... Read more
  • “Diza”
    young boys look for pieces of special waste amongst the tons of garbage... Read more
  • Are we really that insignificant? “We All Count” focuses on the lives of three ordinary Ethiopians... Read more

Send your details

Send your details
Dear Visitors, Please feel free to send us any information related to film that you think should be displayed on our website. You can also easily add your films, production company, or your name (if you're a filmmaker or an actor) under our directories. Just click on the icons below to send us your details.

The Rwanda film festival is dedicated in bringing a true cinema experience to the communities in the hills of Rwanda, the best of the local filmmakers and to create a film week in an event always remembered. Click here

MAISHA(meaning "life" in Kiswahili) provides new screenwriters and film directors from East Africa (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda) and South Asia (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh) with access to the professional training and production resources necessary to articulate their visions

Search Our Site

The EFI Forum

Members can discuss and share ideas on different aspects of filmmaking. Moderated by Leelai Demoz

Forum

International Filmmakers

Information for international filmmakers regarding filming permits and visa requirements for Ethiopia is available under the Resources page of our web site or click on the link below.

Partners of EFI

A24media

Ethiopian airlines logo

Who's Online

We have 430 guests and no members online