Burkina Faso: Launch of the 10th Science Film Festival
The Goethe Institute and the Research Institute for Development (IRD) officially launched the 10th edition of the Scientific Film Festival on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, in Ouagadougou. Running from October 22 to November 14, 2024, this festival invites residents of Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso to explore the theme “Net Zero and Circular Economy.”
Since its inception in 2005 in Bangkok, the festival has showcased scientific films from around the globe. Burkina Faso, known for its central role in African cinema with FESPACO, is celebrating its tenth edition of the Scientific Film Festival.
Bérénice Ouattara, representative of the IRD, emphasized the festival’s importance in raising awareness about major challenges and expressed hope that it could inspire future researchers. She stated, “The festival highlights the challenges our societies must face while potentially inspiring future careers in science and technology.”
Throughout the four-day festival, scientific film screenings will take place at various venues, including the Goethe Institute, Gambidi Space, and university campuses in Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso, as well as in several high schools and colleges. The goal is to educate the youth about current and future issues.
Martin Pockrandt, director of the Goethe Institute, also stressed the importance of this interactive approach: “Before and after each film, there will be discussions between young people and researchers on various scientific contexts.” The festival kicked off with a screening of “Les mottes révolutionnaires” by Burkinabe director Harouna Neya, showcasing an innovation from the Institute of Environment and Agricultural Research (INERA): earth mounds used for tree planting. This technique not only enhances tree growth but also reduces the use of plastic bags.
The screening was well-received, with jury member Marie Laurentine Bayala praising this environmental solution as a potential contribution to combating climate change.
