Digital Platform to Boost Lusophone African & Timor Cinema
A groundbreaking digital platform set to revolutionize the visibility of cinema from Portuguese-speaking African countries (PALOP) and Timor-Leste will be unveiled this Saturday in Praia, Cape Verde. Launched by the PALOP+TL Cinema and Audiovisual Network, the initiative aims to rescue films from obscurity and connect local talent with the global market.
Rescuing Films from ‘The Drawer’
“There are many films made in our countries that end up not circulating. They stay in the drawer,” explained Samira Vera-Cruz, a Cape Verdean filmmaker and co-founder of the network. The new platform seeks to solve this distribution bottleneck by creating a centralized digital hub for the region’s audiovisual industry.
Following a successful debut in Maputo in September, the project will be presented at Praia’s Tech Park at 8:30 PM local time as a highlight of the Kafuka African Film Festival. The team also plans to showcase the initiative in Lisbon this November during the International Audiovisual Conference of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP).
A Professional Bridge to Global Markets
Scheduled for a full launch by the end of the year, the platform functions as a comprehensive directory. Industry professionals and production companies can create profiles featuring their resumes, portfolios, and contact details, making it easier for international producers and institutions to hire local talent.
Beyond networking, the platform serves a strategic purpose. Network coordinator Diana Manhiça noted that the tool will allow for the “systematization of sector data,” providing crucial insights that could shape future public policies for the arts.
Mapping the Talent
Data collection is already yielding impressive results. The project has identified over 400 professionals and companies in Mozambique and approximately 200 in Timor-Leste. The survey is currently expanding to include professionals in Cape Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe, Guinea-Bissau, and the global diaspora.
Looking Ahead: A New Agency for Short Films
The network’s ambitions extend beyond digital directories. Plans are underway to launch a dedicated PALOP+TL Short Film Agency in 2027. This agency will focus on the international distribution of short films, which Vera-Cruz notes are notoriously difficult to market.
“The intention is to create curated packages that allow these productions to reach new international markets,” Vera-Cruz added.
The project is funded by the European Union and Camões – Institute for Cooperation and Language. It is implemented by Expertise France in partnership with Mozambique’s Ministry of Education and Culture.
Image: Pexels – Japhet Kweba
