Oceania is certainly one of the most beautiful regions of the world. It is characterized by its many riches and a great cultural diversity. Despite all that this region has to offer, it remains little known today. It is in this perspective that the International Oceanian Documentary Film Festival was established.
The main objective of this event is to promote Oceania through cinematographic representations, in Papeete, French Polynesia. In the same way, it brings together all the natives of the Pacific, to allow them to meet and contribute together to the promotion of their cultural heritage. The FIFO is thus a great cultural event where the veil is lifted to better explore the wonders of Oceania. Today, the FIFO is still an exceptional event where many films highlighting Oceania enter into competition.
Brief history of the FIFO
This festival intended for the promotion of Oceania was born in 2004. Its precursors are Walles Kotra and Heremoana Maamaatuaiahutapu. Between them, they had the idea of setting up the FIFO, which would be an ideal way to make known and share with the world the multiple riches of Oceania. Since the first edition, until the 16th corresponding to that of 2019, this show has always attracted many people. In the first edition, which was organized in 2004, the show had nearly 12,000 spectators. In the same way, the projection lasted three days. The craze for this event has been real since its birth. Thus, from the beginning, the festival was able to mark the blow through its originality and on the authenticity that it allowed to bring. Today, 16 years old, the FIFO, has not lost any of its richness and diversity that it allows to make known.
News on the award-winning films of the 16th edition
The FIFO is not only the discovery of beautiful Oceania. It is also a discovery of talents that stand out through their cinematographic works. The last edition of FIFO was recently held in February 2019. This year, the event has counted close to 30,000 spectators, and the most outstanding documentaries have received their awards this year. Thus, “Anote’s Ark“, directed by Matthieu Ritz won the Grand Prix of the FIFO: the film asks the question of the future of islands in the face of climate change. As for “Patutiki, l’art du tatouage des îles marquises” directed by Heretu Tetahiotupa and Christophe Cordier, this work also stood out from the rest by winning the audience prize. Some films also won special jury prizes such as “Island of the Hungry Ghosts” by Gabrielle Brady, and “Gurrumul” by Paul Damien Williams.
