CFD Youth|Aya

Synopsis: Aya lives with her mother on the island of Lahou. Joyful and carefree, she likes to pick coconuts and sleep on the sand. However, her paradise is doomed to disappear under the waters. As the waves threaten her house, Aya must make a choice that will determine her life: stay on the doomed island with her mother or look for a better life in a strange new city across the water?

Biography: After five years of scientific studies, Simon Coulibaly Gillard decided to buy his first camera and move to Brussels for post-graduate studies in Filmmaking. In 2013, his first documentary Anima was selected at many festivals including the FID Marseille, Bilbao IFD. In 2014, he made a second short documentary Yaar (2013). This film found its way to over 60 festivals worldwide and won nearly 20 awards and distinctions. His 2017 film Boli Bana, premiered at IFF Rotterdam. His latest feature film Aya (2021) has already won several awards at major international festivals.

Directed by Simon Coulibaly Gillard
Screenplay Simon Coulibaly Gillard
Cinematography Simon Coulibaly Gillard
Editing Marie-Hélène Mora, Bertrand Conard, Simon Coulibaly Gillard
Cast Marie-Josée Degny Kokora, Patricia Egnabayou, Junior Asse, Mariam Traore
ProducersSébastien Andres, Alice Lemaire, François-Pierre Clavel, Alexandre Perrier
Production companies Michigan Films, Kidam
Co-production companies RTBF, France Télévisions, CANAL+ Afrique, Shelter Prod, Dérives
World sales Taskovski Films

90', 2021 | Belgium, France

Filmography
2021 Aya
2017 Boli Bana

Selected Awards
Nominated for Magritte Award – Best First Feature, Académie André Delvaux of Belgium, Belgium, 2023.
Best Actor Award, Namur International Festival of French-Speaking Film, Belgium, 2021.

Free entrance