Lost: Winner of the Act for Equality Award at the 40th Vues d'Afrique Film Festival

The curtains fell on the 40th Vues d'Afrique International Film Festival on April 11th in Montreal. For the fourth consecutive year, CECI was present as an official partner of the program for the Act for Equality category, which aims to highlight films that contribute to advancing gender equality. In line with its mission, CECI co-organized two panels. One on the crucial role of women in climate resilience and the other on cinema and disability.

Among the hundred films presented on this occasion, 11 works were submitted to the Act for Equality category selection jury. The five jury members were: Sylvie Rhugenda and Ekué Afanou Sessi, members of the CECI board of directors, Kenta Diella, volunteer in women's economic empowerment in Senegal, Pierre-Christophe Falardeau, training officer at CECI, and Marielle Collet, communication advisor at CECI. After acknowledging the talents of all the filmmakers, the jury unanimously decided to award the Act for Equality category prize to the short film:

LOST, directed by Floriane Kaneza.

At 23, EVA is a young woman forced to marry a teacher who impregnated her at the age of 16, after negotiating with her parents, in order to maintain their "honour." For her, 7 years have led to a life of degradation until her home became both a prison and a psychiatric ward. This story unfolds in a space for dialogue, the only place where she can feel comfortable expressing her true feelings.

CECI has been working for over 65 years to promote the rights of women and girls around the world.

"Perhaps the most shameful violation of human rights is the violence against women. It knows no geographical, cultural, or social boundaries. As long as violent acts continue to be perpetrated, we cannot claim progress towards equality, development, and peace." - Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary-General.

Congratulations to the director and their team for this short film that clearly addresses the unequal realities and violence experienced by women, while showing their resilience to improve their situation. We thank Ms. Kenta Diella and Ms. Sylvie Rhugenda for their participation in the festival's closing ceremony and our jury for their deliberation.

Our acknowledgments also go to our volunteers who participated in various activities. Especially Ms. Noémie Lefrançois, volunteer environmental advisor, and Mareme Ndiaye, volunteer inclusion advisor.

CECI is committed to circulating this film within its network, in Quebec and internationally, to provoke exchanges and discussions about the works and the issues raised by it.

_{The partnership with the Vues d'Afrique International Film Festival is carried out within the framework of CECI's Volunteer Cooperation Program funded by the Government of Canada.}