The 1st edition of the Benin International Arts Festival (FinAB) took place last week. A day of reflection brought together actors of the 7th art on Friday, February 17, 2023 on Beninese film production.

Several points were discussed during the day of reflection between professional experts, other actors and young people from the cinema. It is about the history of Beninese cinema, generations of filmmakers, the strengths and problems of cinema. At the center of the discussions was the theme “film production”. This theme was moderated by Claude Balogoun (director and producer); Dorothé Dognon (teacher-researcher in audiovisual cinema at the National Institute of Crafts, Archaeology and Culture of the University of Abomey-Calavi); Carole Lokossou (actress, director of actors, cultural engineer and representative of filmmakers at the National Council of Artists' Organizations of Benin).

According to Claude Balogoun and Carole Lokossou, “film production has been very prosperous in Benin because the country has an immensely rich cultural heritage.” Dorothé Dognon for her part believes that “the proof is that people are leaving South Africa and the United States to come and draw on our heritage.” However, this rich heritage is little exploited.