The Alliance Française de Banjul is pleased to welcome Martha Elizabeth MANGA, a dynamic 25-year-old Gambian filmmaker and key figure in the local film industry. Her role as the Assistant Director of the Khoros Festival, combined with her deep roots in Gambian culture, brings an invaluable perspective to the Khoros Cross-Cultural Residency program.
Since her beginnings in 2022 with the Khoros Film Foundation (KFF) and Studio 71, Martha has quickly established herself as an emerging talent in Gambian cinema. Her intimate understanding of local communities and mastery of the country’s languages allows her to create authentic connections with her subjects, bringing genuine stories to life. This cultural knowledge has been particularly valuable in the current documentary project, where her ability to transcend cultural barriers and build trust with the women farmers of the Bakau Gardens has been crucial.
For Martha, cinema is more than just a means of expression – it is a way of life, and this passion, combined with her natural ability to create connections, makes her an essential bridge between the stories of The Gambia and the rest of the world.
This residency program, specifically designed for women filmmakers, illustrates the Alliance Française de Banjul’s commitment to promoting cultural diversity and supporting female artistic creation.
This project is funded by the French Embassy in Senegal and Gambia and the French Institute of Paris as part of the audiovisual cooperation.