Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Directors’ love of art, community spirit builds momentum for film festival

Story by Misty Bouse. Photos by Ric Getter.

At the helm of the Cascade Festival of African Films (CFAF), the longest-running African film festival in the U.S., are two dynamic leaders: Festival Director Eugénie Jolivett Fontana and Assistant Director Brook Ramirez. As Portland Community College marks its 35th anniversary, they are presenting a compelling lineup of over 20 films from 14 countries through March 1.

Now in her third year with the festival, Jolivett Fontana is a resident of Portland’s Concordia neighborhood and is passionate about bringing curiosity and quality entertainment to the community.

“I’m all about the arts and attended UC Irvine for theater arts and film media studies,” said Jolivett Fontana, who came to Portland from Southern California for the city’s artistic diversity. “I was what they call the triple-threat: I act, sing, and dance. Creative spaces are my passion.

“There’s space for creative practice here,” she added. “It’s like the welcome given to this festival. It is so loved by the community because it shows Africa through African lenses. It’s the stories from African people and its diaspora that make this festival so unique.”

One of CFAF’s most anticipated segments is Women Filmmaker Week, featuring three 7 p.m. screenings from Feb. 27 to March 1. The lineup includes “Dahomey,” a documentary on cultural heritage and colonialism from Benin/France by Mati Diop; “Shimoni,” a contemplative drama from Kenya by Angela Wanjiku Wamai; and “Under the Fig Tree,” a lyrical slice-of-life film from Tunisia by Erige Sehiri.

“All three films are by African women directors and are followed by ‘Talkback’ discussions,” said Jolivett Fontana. “We want to foster active community participation at each festival screening.”

She noted that after the disruptions of COVID-19, the festival committee aimed to re-engage and reactivate spaces with new opportunities and energies. The festival is also expanding its artistic reach by bringing in new and emerging talent, with the goal of connecting more with the African community and its diaspora.

“Who are the new generation of leaders and volunteers?” Jolivett Fontana said. “We’re asking that question and working to uphold this year’s festival theme of legacy.”

The African film festival has grown steadily since its inception in 1991 when it had 400 people in attendance. Today, the festival attracts more than 5,000 filmgoers every year, bringing acclaimed directors and stars to Portland, including actor Danny Glover.

With around 50 volunteers, she emphasized the importance of sustainability. They have had a consistent volunteer base, but needs a balance between youth and elders as well as cultural inclusivity, she said. The selection committee carefully curates the films. From April to September, the film committee reviews various submissions, assessing which ones aligned with current events and resonated most.

“It’s really hard,” Jolivett Fontana admitted. “We quickly reached our limit because there are so many phenomenal films. Our goal is to find the right balance of films that are both relatable and distinctive, including hidden gems and niche works without major backing. That ethic extends into the rest of our festival work, especially our outreach efforts.”

Ramirez, a local business owner, is deeply connected to the Portland community. She owns Madrona Hill Cafe and Bakery in North Portland’s Arbor Lodge neighborhood with homemade food and friendly coffee baristas. That same neighborly spirit is reflected in CFAF’s approach this year.

“We are intentionally stewarding this 35th year to solidify the festival with music and passion,” she said.

Ramirez’s background includes studies in architecture, Latin and African Studies at Portland State University. She has attended the film festival every year for the past nine years and loves the international film and music it provides. She is looking forward to the documentary about African musicians and learning new dances from a couple of the talented African dancers that live here.

Overall, her role involves curating panelists and artists to enhance the festival’s cultural experience.

“I am proud to take part in gathering speakers and artists to share their stories and complement our evenings of film,” Ramirez said. “There are so many stories and new experiences this year—we are hoping for fun, energy and the opportunity to experience something different. We’ve brought more energy into the festival while continuing to facilitate its educational mission.”

She hopes to see strong community attendance, especially in the latter half of the festival. A great option for film enthusiasts is the CFAF’s milestone film collection. Curated over the years, it is available for streaming on Multnomah County Library’s Kanopy system for anyone with a library card and a computer.

For family-friendly and community activities, Marketplace Day is from 2-6 p.m., Saturday, March 1, featuring African artists and international vendors showcasing crafts and art along with a short film screening about African fashion in the U.S. 

“The special events and scores of inspiring films celebrating Black History Month offer many options for the whole family,” Ramirez said.

For more details about the films and festival, visit africanfilmfestival.org.