Festival du Film des Lagunes

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Arts & CultureAbidjan
DatesDates TBACheck locally before booking
DurationAnnualEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitions01 Founder-led vision: actress Naky Sy
Language["fr"]Currency: XOF
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Festival du Film des Lagunes in Abidjan

Festival du Film des Lagunes, better known by its acronym FESTILAG, is an African cinema festival founded by Ivorian actress Naky Sy Savane, with its first full edition in 2012. Held in Abidjan and sometimes the coastal town of Grand-Bassam, it screens African and international films with a focus on social themes, reaching its twelfth edition in November 2024 under the patronage of Cote d'Ivoire's culture ministry.

Festival du Film des Lagunes, known formally as the Festival International du Film des Lacs et des Lagunes and widely referred to by its acronym FESTILAG, is an African cinema festival founded by the Ivorian actress Naky Sy Savane, who serves as its president.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

01 Founder-led vision: actress Naky Sy Savane created and still presides over the festival, keeping its social-cinema focus consistent across editions

02

The mystery stays covered

02 Grand-Bassam screenings: when the festival extends to this UNESCO-listed former colonial town, films show in a very different setting from a standard Abidjan cinema

03

The city starts moving

03 African-cinema focus with international partner slots, widening the lineup beyond purely Ivorian films

04

The water draws everyone in

04 Government patronage from the Ministry of Culture and Francophonie has grown over more than a decade of editions

05

The old stones answer

05 Accessible director access, since the festival's modest scale keeps filmmakers reachable after screenings

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival's throughline is Naky Sy Savane's consistent framing of cinema as a vehicle for awareness and social transformation

Water and renewal

Living ritual

which shapes opening remarks and panel themes every year

The sacred route

Living ritual

The occasional shift to Grand-Bassam screenings

The local code

Living ritual

when it happens

Tradition 5

Living ritual

is treated by regular attendees as a highlight distinct from the main Abidjan program

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA

Getting around

For Festival du Film des Lagunes, plan transport around the exact Abidjan venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Casual clothing works for most screenings; if the program includes a Grand-Bassam beachfront session, pack light, breathable clothes and sandals, since seating there is less formal than an...

Safety

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

Where to stay

For Festival du Film des Lagunes, stay near the part of Abidjan you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

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

Language/currency

["fr"] · XOF

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map5.35 N, 4.00 WOpen in Google Maps

Abidjan, Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire

Nearest airportABJ — Félix-Houphouët-Boigny
TransportFor Festival du Film des Lagunes, plan transport around the exact Abidjan venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Festival du Film des Lagunes, stay near the part of Abidjan you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

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 Abidjan via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Abidjan, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for festival season.Compare faresFestival gearCasual clothing works for most screenings; if the program includes a Grand-Bassam beachfront session, pack light, breathable clothes and sandals, since seating there is less formal than an Abidjan cinema.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Cote d'Ivoire 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 Festival du Film des Lagunes?

Festival du Film des Lagunes is listed for Dates to be announced. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Festival du Film des Lagunes take place?

The festival is listed in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire. 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?

Date announcement pending. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Abidjan, Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire

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 URLAwaiting confirmation
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
Listed datesDates TBA
Source statusDate announcement pending
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