Ecrans Noirs

Écrans Noirs

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Arts & CultureYaounde
DatesDates TBA · Usually SeptemberCheck locally before booking
DurationAnnualEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsIts dual regional-and-continental mandate is
Language["fr"]Currency: XAF
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Ecrans Noirs in Yaounde

Ecrans Noirs is Central Africa's largest film festival, held each September in Yaounde since its founding in 1997 by filmmaker Bassek Ba Kobhio. It spotlights cinema from six Central African countries alongside wider pan-African and diaspora entries, drawing close to five hundred submissions from roughly thirty-five countries in recent editions.

Ecrans Noirs was founded in 1997 by Cameroonian filmmaker Bassek Ba Kobhio and has grown into what is widely described as Central Africa's largest cinema event, staged each September in Yaounde, typically at the Institut Francais du Cameroun.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Its dual regional-and-continental mandate is the concrete structural feature distinguishing Ecrans Noirs from generic African film festivals: a specific focus on six named Central African countries - Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, DRC, Central African Republic and Chad - sits alongside open pan-African and diaspora competition categories, including the Ecran d'Or top prize and a dedicated Central Africa award found at few comparable festivals

02

The mystery stays covered

Nearly three decades of continuous operation since 1997, and submission volumes approaching five hundred films from about thirty-five countries in recent years, mark it as an established, high-volume event rather than a newer or smaller festival

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

Symbols

Custom

Ecrans Noirs is documented as a recurring arts-culture festival in the Eventisimus atlas.

Participation

Calendar

Some moments are open to visitors; others belong to local participants. Follow barriers, steward instructions, and local etiquette.

Place memory

Place

The strongest version of the event is the one tied to Yaounde, not a generic copy of the same category elsewhere.

The local code

Meaning

Its dual regional-and-continental mandate is the concrete structural feature distinguishing Ecrans Noirs from generic African film festivals: a...

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually September

Getting around

Use Yaounde transport around the venue or route first; event-day controls can change normal timing.

What to wear

Casual, comfortable clothing suits indoor cinema screenings; nothing specific is required beyond what any cinema visit calls for, though a light layer helps in air-conditioned screening...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

Stay near workable transport in Yaounde, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

["fr"] · XAF

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map3.87 N, 11.52 EOpen in Google Maps

Yaounde, Centre, Cameroon

Nearest airportNSI — Yaoundé Nsimalen
TransportUse Yaounde transport around the venue or route first; event-day controls can change normal timing.
Stay areaStay near workable transport in Yaounde, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Yaounde via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Yaounde, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for September.Compare faresFestival gearCasual, comfortable clothing suits indoor cinema screenings; nothing specific is required beyond what any cinema visit calls for, though a light layer helps in air-conditioned screening rooms.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Cameroon and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Ecrans Noirs?

Ecrans Noirs is listed for September. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Ecrans Noirs take place?

The festival is listed in Yaounde, Cameroon. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Annual is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Yaounde, Centre, Cameroon

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLicicine.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually September
Source statusOfficial source linked
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