The first edition of the Indian Ocean Film Festival on Sea and Music, held in Toliara, has successfully raised awareness about the cultural value of cinema.
A major premiere, the festival brought together filmmakers from Madagascar, Reunion, and Mauritius, along with the Toliara public. Eight films were screened over three days, including sessions on the beaches of Mangily, a renowned seaside village located about thirty kilometers from Toliara.
The initiative was led by filmmaker Anatole Ramaroson, who studied cinema in France. “I have always been passionate about cinema and music. I promised myself I would organize a film festival in Toliara,” he shared. The event, supported by the “Asa Sary” and “AyeAye Dev” associations, aims to foster cultural and territorial development in the coastal city.
The festival featured documentary and fiction films in both Malagasy and French, screened at the Alliance Française of Toliara and in Mangily. Notable works included “Feon’ala, the Cry of the Earth” by Rolland Raman and “Taste in the Sun” by Ary-Misa Rakotobe. International contributions included films from Reunion and Mauritius, such as David Constantin’s documentary on the “Wakashio” shipwreck.
Beyond screenings, the festival included “Cine-live” events, music, slam poetry, and workshops. A “Cine-lab” provided training for local amateurs, while researchers like Dr. Hervet Randriamady discussed the intersection of culture and mental health. Despite the challenges of organizing such an event, the organizers are already planning a second edition for 2027, with hopes to integrate a carnival along the RN7 next year.
Captured & Published at: 2026-07-15 06:11:52 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/07/toliara-la-culture-du-cinema-retablir.html