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Yanibes Foundation

Yanibes Foundation is a not-for-profit organization registered in France, under the number 929 670 156. Yanibes Foundation is committed to diversity, inclusion, and sustainability, enriching cultural exchanges through arts, media, and audiovisual platforms. Since its creation, the Foundation has established impactful programs and international events that elevate African and diaspora creativity on the global stage. Through free, accessible programs, Yanibes Foundation empowers young creatives, cultural practitioners, and communities. Through accessible events, mentorship, and industry engagement, Yanibes creates long-term value for emerging talent while offering partners meaningful visibility, impact, and international reach.

Yanibes' raison d'être is to provide people and organizations who look our way with the best of our collective expertise in project management, PR, communication, marketing and business management and
production. Yanibes believes in quality delivery, smart execution, intelligent project
management, constructive assessment, excellence in action, intensive collaboration and active listening.


Yanibes values:

  • Honesty

  • Resilience

  • Innovation

  • Resourcefulness

Our Mission

To amplify African and diaspora voices, foster cross-cultural collaboration, and strengthen creative economies through high-impact platforms.

How We Work

  • Curate world-class cultural and industry events

  • Build bridges between Africa, Europe, and the diaspora

  • Support talent through mentorship and capacity building

  • Partner with institutions, brands, and media to scale impact

Flagship Platforms & Programs

Platform: Hosted annually at the Cannes Film Festival

400+ African and diaspora filmmakers showcased from 2021–2025 Partnerships created: Co-production agreements with European and African studios.

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Visibility: Featured across international press, positioning African cinema at Cannes.
Capacity building: Panels and networking sessions for emerging talent.

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Details

  • Hosted annually during the Cannes Film Festival.

  • Showcased African and diaspora filmmakers, producers, and industry professionals.

  • Acted as a cultural bridge, connecting African talent with global cinema networks.

  • Over 400 speakers, 5000 attendees, 150 sponsors and supporters

  • Deadline Magazine as a Official Media Partners

Platform: A European stage for African creatives

Impact (2024 + 2025 launch edition):1500 participants from Africa, Europe, and the diaspora.

Themes explored: Creativity in Europe’s cultural economy; innovation and diaspora networks. Outcomes: Initiated cross-cultural projects and attracted cultural investors. AfroBerlin created bridges between African and European creative industries.

 

Details

  • Platform for African and diaspora creatives in Europe and the official African and African diasporic program of the European Film Market.

  • Organized during the Berlinale

  • Focus: diversity in the European creative economy and cross-cultural partnerships.

  • First edition gathered 800+ participants from Africa, Europe, Asia, Middle East, South America and the diaspora.

Platform: A new initiative celebrating the intersection of film and music

Impact (launched in 2025):

First program at AfroBerlin dedicated to sound in African and Afro-diasporic cinema.

Focus areas: Film scoring, sound design, cross-industry collaborations.

Expected outreach: 500+ participants, including composers, filmmakers, and music producers.

Afro Film Music Days highlights music as a driving force in African storytelling.​
 

  • A new initiative highlighting the synergy between film and music industries in Africa.

  • Celebrated composers, sound designers, and musicians working in cinema.

  • Promoted interdisciplinary collaboration across creative sectors.

AfroCasa

AfroCasa is a new initiative to be launched in Q1 2026 with the goal of continuing the emphasis on promoting
African and African diasporic film industry in one of the most iconic African city.

Proven Impact

Since its creation, Yanibes Foundation has delivered measurable cultural and industry impact:

  • Activities across 7 continents and 98 countries

  • 5,700+ physical attendees at international events

  • 545 speakers across 132 sessions

  • 170 sponsors and partners

  • 2.8 million social media accounts reached

  • 355 mentees supported through free mentorship

  • 70 international mentors

  • 2 flagship international events at Cannes and Berlinale

Mentorship & Capacity Building

Mentorship is a core pillar of Yanibes Foundation’s work. Since 2020, the Yanibes Mentorship Program has provided free, international mentorship to young creatives and professionals across Africa and the diaspora.

The program connects mentees with experienced industry leaders in film, entrepreneurship, and creative industries, contributing to long-term career growth and ecosystem development. Over 65% of mentees have launched or scaled projects within one year of completing the program.

Partnerships & Collaboration

Since its inception, the Yanibes Foundation has built strong partnerships to support its flagship platforms, AfroCannes and AfroBerlin, positioning them as leading initiatives that celebrate African creativity and foster global cultural exchange.

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Partnerships with Yanibes offer:

Prestige & Global Visibility

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  • AfroCannes (during Cannes Film Festival) and AfroBerlin (during Berlinale) place sponsors at the center of the world’s most influential cultural stages.

  • Association with internationally recognized, high-impact African creative platforms.

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Prestige & Global Visibility

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  • Direct access to filmmakers, investors, creatives, and decision-makers

  • Alignment with diversity, inclusion, youth empowerment, and ESG goals

  • Media exposure through international press and curated communication channels

  • Opportunities for year-round engagement beyond flagship events

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Targeted Industry Reach

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  • Direct access to filmmakers, producers, investors, policy makers, and creative entrepreneurs.

  • Exposure to a curated network of 50K+ contacts across film, fashion, finance, and tech.

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Media & Communication Impact

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  • Featured presence in global media (e.g., Deadline partnership, international press coverage).

  • Extended reach through newsletters, social media, and the Yanibes ecosystem.

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CSR & ESG Alignment

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  • Support mentorship, youth empowerment, women in leadership, and African creative industries.

  • Position as a champion of diversity, inclusion, and sustainable cultural development.

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High-Value Networking & Brand Integration

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  • Opportunities for sponsor-led panels, branded activations, and exclusive networking sessions.

  • Direct engagement with decision-makers and influencers at events.

 

Year-Round Engagement

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  • Sponsorship extends beyond events via AfroCannes Connect,AfroBerlin Connect, podcasts, and membership programs —
    ensuring ongoing visibility and impact.

Event Memberships

Yanibes Foundation has developed event-based membership platforms linked to its flagship events, AfroCannes and AfroBerlin. These memberships extend engagement beyond the event itself, offering continuous access to a curated international community of creatives, industry leaders, and decision-makers.

Year-round access to the Yanibes creative ecosystem

Yanibes Foundation curates high-impact international events that sit at the intersection of culture, business, and social impact. Our flagship platforms are strategically embedded within the world’s most influential film markets, creating unique opportunities for sponsors to engage with a global creative ecosystem.

AfroCannes Connect
The official post-event networking platform of AfroCannes, designed to sustain connections, collaborations, and visibility beyond the Cannes Film Festival.

AfroBerlin Connect
A pre- and post-event platform that activates conversations ahead of the European Film Market (Berlinale) and continues industry engagement after the event.

Together, these platforms create a year-round ecosystem around Yanibes’ flagship events.

Event Membership Benefits — For Members

Designed for creatives, professionals, and entrepreneurs
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Event-Centric Access

  • Priority invitations and VIP access to AfroCannes and AfroBerlin events

  • Access to screenings, panels, masterclasses, and industry receptions

  • Select red carpet and curated event experiences

Networking with Industry Leaders

  • Curated connections with filmmakers, producers, investors, and global creatives

  • Members-only networking sessions, private roundtables, and cocktail events

Mentorship & Project Exposure

  • Access to mentorship sessions and pitch opportunities during events

  • Opportunities to showcase projects, films, or creative work to industry stakeholders

Global Visibility & Recognition

  • Features in event communications, newsletters, and digital campaigns

  • Exposure through international press and media covering Yanibes events

Real-Time Industry Insights

  • Direct exposure to trends, deals, and innovations across film, fashion, and the creative economy

Event Membership Benefits — For Sponsors

A strategic gateway to Africa’s global creative economy

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Direct Access to a Premium Community
Sponsors gain visibility within a curated network of filmmakers, entrepreneurs, investors, and diaspora professionals, positioning their brand at the center of Africa’s growing creative ecosystem.

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AfroCannes Connect & AfroBerlin Connect
Membership platforms extend sponsor presence year-round through digital communities, exclusive workshops, private roundtables, and members-only networking sessions — far beyond the event dates.

 

Brand Alignment with Influence
Membership communities attract high-level decision-makers, including producers, distributors, financiers, policymakers, fashion leaders, and tech innovators. Sponsors are recognized as enablers of industry growth and cross-cultural collaboration.

 

Visibility & Engagement Opportunities

  • Branded presence in members-only newsletters, portals, and events

  • Sponsor-led or “powered by” sessions and networking activations

  • Targeted outreach through Yanibes’ 50,000+ contact database

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Strategic Positioning & Long-Term Value
Event memberships allow sponsors to build sustained B2B relationships, test offerings within creative communities, and showcase thought leadership — delivering continuous visibility rather than one-off exposure.

 

Media Presence & Recognition

Yanibes platforms have received international media coverage and industry recognition, including partnerships with major film and cultural outlets. Supported projects have reached global distribution platforms, international festivals, and award recognition, reinforcing Yanibes’ role as a trusted cultural connector.

Yanibes Foundation continues to expand its platforms and programs, creating sustainable pathways for African and diaspora creatives while offering partners meaningful, long-term engagement within the global creative economy.

For partnership opportunities, collaborations, or further information, please get in touch with the Yanibes team.

​Charities Profile

Yanibes Foundation partnered with a host of registered charities focused on education and empowerment for Yanibes Mentorship Program.

Yanibes Mentorship Program Charities are duly registered charities in their country and have been vetted by our network. Mentors are Welcome to recommend prospective charities for Yanibes to partner with. Our objective is to support on the ground organizations that have challenges raising operational funds.
 

Donations and Contributions
The mentorship program is free for all, however, we ask mentees, who are not volunteers with the charities to pay a registration fee of 20 euros (or equivalent in their local currency) as a donation to the partner charities we are associated with in their country

 

Yanibes never receives money, Yanibes issues the invoice that Mentees present to the partner charity to make their donation. We also ensure that all transactions are traceable.
 

What Charities are entitled to:

  • by-monthly VIP sessions with high profile Mentors

  • Free mentorship program for 3 or 6 months for their volunteers

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