Ivory Coast Storytelling Thrives at SICA with Gov Support for New Creators
▼ Summary
– The 2025 SICA pitch competition in Ivory Coast showcased emerging African storytellers across film, TV, and digital formats, with winners announced at a star-studded ceremony.
– Franck Vléhi won the professional fiction category with “Manley,” a drama based on a West African legend, earning a $45,000 development grant.
– Polha Andrea secured the amateur fiction award for her series “Paire de Trois,” a love triangle story, receiving $9,000 in funding.
– Cissé Babou won the documentary category for “Tout en direct,” exploring the societal impact of live streaming, and was awarded $18,000.
– SICA’s pitch competition, supported by the Ivorian government, provides funding and industry exposure to boost local audiovisual talent and storytelling.
The vibrant energy of African storytelling took center stage at Abidjan’s Sofitel Hôtel Ivoire as the 2025 International Salon for Audiovisual Content (SICA) wrapped up with a dazzling awards ceremony. This year’s pitch competition, a highlight of the event, showcased fresh voices from across the continent, backed by strong government support for emerging creators.
Organized by Ivory Coast’s Ministry of Communication and the Media Support and Development Agency (ASDM), the SICA Business Hub invited filmmakers, writers, and digital creators to submit original projects spanning fiction, documentaries, and innovative formats. Divided into four categories, professional fiction, amateur fiction, documentary, and alternative content, the competition provided a platform for both new and established talent to present their visions to a panel of industry leaders, including renowned Ivorian TV host Patricia Kalou.
The opening night saw participants deliver rapid-fire pitches, each limited to just five minutes. Some relied on slick video presentations, while others brought their stories to life through dramatic performances, embodying the characters from their projects. The audience responded with thunderous applause, celebrating the creativity on display.
Winners were announced during a glamorous closing ceremony attended by government officials and international guests. In the professional film and series category, Franck Vléhi claimed the top prize with Manley, a gripping drama steeped in West African folklore. The jury praised its cinematic depth and compelling narrative, awarding Vléhi a 25 million CFA Franc development grant (roughly $45,000). The film explores the haunting tale of a girl destined for sacrifice to save her village, blending history and spirituality to reflect on cultural memory.
“This story belongs to our heritage,” Vléhi shared. “If we don’t tell it ourselves, someone else will, and they might not get it right.”
The amateur fiction category honored Polha Andrea’s Paire de Trois, a bold series dissecting love, power, and societal hypocrisy through the lens of a tangled romantic triangle. Andrea, a rising star in Ivorian production, secured 5 million CFA Francs (about $9,000) to develop her 52-episode vision.
Meanwhile, Cissé Babou’s documentary Tout en direct earned acclaim for its raw examination of live streaming’s emotional toll, inspired by her own loss. The project, awarded 10 million CFA Francs ($18,000), sheds light on the darker side of digital connectivity.
In the alternative formats division, Yato Nejy’s Aucun Repos stood out for its viral short videos tackling stereotypes with wit and warmth. Since its February launch, the platform has racked up 12 million views, proving the hunger for inclusive, thought-provoking content.
SICA’s pitch competition underscores Ivory Coast’s commitment to fostering homegrown talent, offering creators the resources to bring their stories to life. With government backing and industry collaboration, the event has become a catalyst for innovation, elevating Ivorian voices on the global stage. More than just an awards show, SICA represents a thriving ecosystem where tradition meets modernity, and where Africa’s narratives are told by those who know them best.
(Source: Variety)