The Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Culture and Francophonie, Assane Thiam, representing Minister Françoise Remarck, encouraged young filmmakers from the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) area to defend our values through cinema on Monday, November 24, 2025, during the opening ceremony of the 25th edition of the Clap Ivoire festival at the Majestic cinema in Abidjan-Cocody.

“To you, young creators, young directors, young talents of our shared and dynamic space, continue to tell our stories, to defend our values, to challenge our certainties, to celebrate our vanity. For this 25th edition of Clap Ivoire, I express the wish that it will be an inspiring tribute of fraternity, of professionalization for all young African filmmakers,” said Mr. Thiam.

Justifying the choice of theme, "African New Wave: Cultural Identity and Education through Cinema," he emphasized that cinema is not merely an art form. It unites, documents, heals, questions, shapes, and above all, transmits. It carries our values, our stories, our imaginations, and our shared identity.

The chief of staff praised the role of the festival which, for 24 years, has constituted "a true laboratory of excellence and a breeding ground for the UEMOA and beyond", thanking the technical, institutional and international partners, including the UEMOA and the Council of the Entente, for their contribution.

"This 25th edition represents much more than a celebration; it is a living testament to what our continent builds best when it relies on its talent, intelligence, and vision," he insisted.

The minister's representative emphasized the importance of the recent transformation of the National Film Office of Côte d'Ivoire (ONAC-CI) into Côte d'Ivoire Cinéma, a major reform initiated by President Alassane Ouattara. According to him, this evolution marks a new stage in the modernization of our cultural ecosystem and reflects the commitment of a state that invests, structures, professionalizes, and opens up the future of Ivorian and sub-regional cinema.

The Director General of Côte d'Ivoire Cinéma, Johnson Lison Fall Diomandé, for her part, recalled that Clap Ivoire has played a vital role for a quarter of a century: identifying, training, and showcasing the new faces of cinema in the sub-region. Addressing the young filmmakers, she assured them of Côte d'Ivoire Cinéma's continued support. "We will always be by your side on the path to excellence and the realization of your dreams," she promised.

For this 25th edition, 13 films are in competition, including seven documentaries and six fiction films, and 14 candidates are participating in the pitch competition. Activities include training workshops, roundtables, screenings, and project presentation sessions. The international phase of the festival takes place from November 24 to 28.

Created in 2004, Clap Ivoire is a short film festival and competition bringing together young technicians and directors from the eight countries of the WAEMU. The competition includes a national phase in each country, followed by an international phase during which a jury selected by the festival's organizing committee judges the finalist films.