THE SECOND EDITION OF THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN OCEAN FILM FESTIVAL WILL TAKE PLACE FROM APRIL 5 TO 9, 2025, IN REUNION ISLAND.

Initiated by France Télévisions and supported by the Hors Champs Réunion association, in partnership with the Réunion Region, the CNC, the City of Saint-Paul, and the Territory of the West, FIFOI is the latest addition to the France Télévisions festival family in the Overseas Territories, following FIFO in Polynesia and FIFAC in the Antilles-Caraïbes.

Reflecting the dynamic film scene of the Indian Ocean, FIFOI stands out for its focus on both documentary and fiction, with a special emphasis on short films. Through a selection of competitive films—documentary feature films, short fiction films, and documentary shorts—from Mayotte, Réunion Island, India, Kenya, Tanzania, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Madagascar, and Mozambique, the festival highlights emerging talents and their unique perspectives on the region’s territories.

For the first time, FIFOI will feature a professional jury, marking its ambition to become an internationally recognized competition. We are honored to welcome Abd Al Malik as the jury president. A multi-talented artist, he recently filmed his feature film L’Affaire de l’esclave Furcy in Réunion, a historical and socially engaged work that aligns with the themes of the festival. He will be joined by a jury consisting of filmmakers, artists, programmers, and producers, each bringing their expertise and unique viewpoint.

Five awards will be presented at the festival’s closing ceremony: the Best Documentary Feature Award, the Domin Award, the Best Short Film Award, the Audience Award, and the Young Jury Award.

This year, FIFOI is also launching a Film Market, with the clear ambition to contribute to the structuring of the audiovisual and cinematographic sector in the Indian Ocean region. This new professional space is a major challenge: to offer concrete opportunities for professionals in an environment conducive to exchange, networking, and collaboration. The goal is to strengthen cooperation between industry stakeholders and neighboring countries.

Pitch sessions—covering short films (fiction and documentary) and documentary feature films—will take place in front of a panel of professionals. These sessions are aimed at supporting networking and highlighting projects from stakeholders in the region. They will be streamed live, offering remote participation and increased visibility for the projects.

Roundtable discussions will also be held, addressing key topics in the industry and fostering exchanges between professionals. These meetings will help strengthen links between creators, producers, and broadcasters while exploring opportunities for development and co-productions in the region.

In this dynamic, FIFOI is committed to supporting professional development, highlighting emerging talent, and enhancing networking among Indian Ocean stakeholders. With the foundation of the Film Market now established, the ambition is to see it grow and thrive with each edition.