From November 5 to 14, 2026, the EICAR Paris campus will host the 8th edition of the international film festival L’Afrique Fait Son Cinéma. By appointing Clémentine Célarié and Lucien Jean-Baptiste as Official Patrons, and international actor Richard Sammel as Jury President, the General Delegation led by Blaise Pascal Tanguy affirms the economic and global ambition of a premier event for the Afro-Caribbean creative industries.
In the global audiovisual ecosystem, the selection of a festival’s figureheads goes well beyond mere protocol, serving as a strategic indicator of market positioning. For its 8th edition, which features over fifty competing works from twenty-four African and Caribbean nations, L’Afrique Fait Son Cinéma brings together three prominent industry leaders: Clémentine Célarié as Patroness, Lucien Jean-Baptiste as Patron, and German actor Richard Sammel at the helm of the jury responsible for awarding the prestigious Ubuntu Prizes. Through their respective careers, each embodies a key pillar in the development and international expansion of Afro-descendant cinema.
Three Complementary Profiles Driving the Festival’s Market Appeal
From a cultural industry perspective, the involvement of these three figures directly addresses the current challenges of visibility, profitability, and international export for works from the continent and its diasporas:
- Clémentine Célarié, Deep Historical Roots in the CEMAC Basin: A major figure in French cinema and theater, the Patroness of this 8th edition maintains an organic connection with the African continent. Born in Dakar, Senegal, Clémentine Célarié spent the first fourteen years of her life in Africa, growing up notably in Cameroon and Gabon. Her intimate knowledge of Central Africa and her lifelong commitment to cultural diversity bring particular resonance to the works originating from the CEMAC economic zone.
- Lucien Jean-Baptiste, Proven Box-Office Viability: A director, screenwriter, producer, and actor originally from Martinique, he has established himself as a pioneer in the Francophone film industry. With major commercial hits such as La Première Étoile (The First Star) and Il a déjà tes yeux (He Even Has Your Eyes), he has demonstrated to investors and distributors that narratives led by Afro-Caribbean talent represent highly profitable assets. His presence as Patron anchors the festival in a dynamic of institutional continuity and professional mentorship.
- Richard Sammel, Bridging the Gap to Global Co-Production Standards: A polyglot actor fluent in five languages and a regular presence in major European and Hollywood productions (Casino Royale, Inglourious Basterds, OSS 117), the Jury President brings a distinctly international stature to the competition. Attentive to emerging dynamics on the continent, he recently invested his talent in the new African audiovisual economy by starring in the pan-African series Lex Africana, filmed in Dakar.
Central Africa and Market Structuring at the Heart of the 2026 Edition
The commitment of personalities with such strong ties to the continent is directly reflected in the 2026 programming and the festival’s economic architecture. Cinemas from the CEMAC zone hold a prominent place in this year’s Official Selection, highlighted by feature films from Gabon, Cameroon, and the Republic of the Congo, alongside productions from West Africa, North Africa, and the Caribbean.
Beyond the screenings and the artistic competition adjudicated by Richard Sammel’s jury, this 8th edition consolidates its business-to-business dimension through its international film market and dedicated co-production hubs designed to connect creators, producers, and investors. Backed by the media appeal of Clémentine Célarié and Lucien Jean-Baptiste, the November gathering in Paris stands out more than ever as a strategic platform where the financing and distribution deals of tomorrow’s African and Caribbean cinema are forged.
