I am an emerging entrepreneur with the goal of creating my own festival in the future.
My background is in visual arts and cultural projects, and I joined the EYE programme to gain hands-on experience and insights into the festival world.
My host is the Festival de Cine Africano (African Film Festival), a well-established cultural event based in Spain that focuses on showcasing and promoting African cinema in Europe.
I found out about the EYE programme through a friend who had previously participated.
I decided to take part in EYE to connect with professionals in the cultural field and to gain a deeper understanding of the internal dynamics, planning, and strategic development of a film festival. I expected to gain more practical tools and knowledge on how to start and manage a cultural project, learn about key elements such as programming, logistics, audience engagement, and partnerships, and develop a clearer vision for my own future festival.
One of the most important outcomes was the shift in my perspective: I became more aware of the importance of focusing on local areas and communities and how to consider it, and how cultural projects can be shaped around stories of specific populations.
During the festival, I also had the chance to meet and connect with some professionals working in film production and cinema market, expanding my network and opening the door to future collaborations or mentoring opportunities.
Taking part in the EYE programme has been a good experience. It allowed me to immerse myself in the behind-the-scenes work of a major cultural event, connect with inspiring professionals, and gain the confidence and tools needed to start building my own festival project.
Activities undertaken
1. Researching funding opportunities to support the festival and related cultural initiatives.
2. Creating presentations for potential partners and collaborators, helping to communicate the festival’s mission and value.
3. Contributing creative ideas for a parallel exhibition to be held during the festival, connecting cinema with arts.
4. Managing social media content, designing posts.
5. Participating in practical activities during the festival itself, such as assisting with logistics, welcoming guests, and supporting the daily operations.
The relationship with my Host, the Festival de Cine Africano, was positive and collaborative. I was welcomed as part of the team and had the opportunity to learn directly from professionals. They were open to my ideas, encouraged my involvement in different areas, and gave me valuable feedback throughout the experience.
