By Seedy Jobe
The University of The Gambia hosted the sixth edition of the Cinekambiya International Film Festival on Friday and Saturday, drawing students, filmmakers, diplomats, and cultural enthusiasts to its Kanifing Campus for two days of screenings and discussions centered on African storytelling.
The festival, held December 12–13, featured a wide slate of films, including a tribute to the celebrated musician Laba Sosseh that explored his artistic journey and a documentary chronicling the life and legacy of kora virtuoso Jaliba Kuyateh.
Bubacarr Prince Sankanu, the festival’s founder, praised the commitment of students and participants, urging them to “take ownership of the event and safeguard its future.” The festival, first launched a decade ago, has become a key platform for emerging Gambian filmmakers and a growing hub for regional cultural exchange.
“Cinekambiya is more than just a film festival; it is a platform for African narratives and international collaboration,” said Professor Melchizedek Onobe, Dean of the School of Journalism and Digital Media. “Gambian stories are best told by Gambians themselves. Our story is original, and it is ours to tell.”
The historian Hassoum Ceesay, who appears in Strings of a Nation, a documentary screened at the festival, commended the students’ work and highlighted CIFF’s role in safeguarding Gambian cultural heritage through film.
Held under the theme “Authentic African Storytelling,” this year’s edition also marked a milestone with Spain’s first-ever participation, underscoring the festival’s expanding international reach.
The Cinekambiya International Film Festival is an annual event dedicated to elevating Gambian and African narratives through film and strengthening cross-cultural dialogue across the continent and beyond.