The recently concluded La Rochelle Film Festival witnessed a surge of creativity and innovation, with cinephiles from around the world converging to celebrate and pay homage to films, short films and directors. Among these luminaries was Prince Andrew Ardayfio, a Ghanaian creative director and filmmaker.

Ardayfio’s experience at the festival was nothing short of remarkable. As a participant in the esteemed Culture Lab Program, he engaged in dynamic workshops, discussions, and film screenings that fostered cross-cultural dialogue and creative exploration. This year’s Culture Lab Program saw 9 participants from Libya, Qatar, Gambia, Cuba and Ghana.

One of the highlights of Ardayfio’s participation was the film critic classes by Thierry Méranger, a revered critic for Cahiers du Cinéma, which led to his in-depth film review of Les Filles D’Olfa. His insightful analysis captivates readers and fellow filmmakers alike, showcasing his keen eye for storytelling techniques and cinematographic nuances. Ardayfio’s ability to delve into the heart of the film’s themes and artistic choices demonstrated his prowess not only as a filmmaker but also as a perceptive film critic.

The Critic Class
However, Ardayfio’s contributions weren’t confined to discussions and reviews. He also took a touch of Ghana with him as he adorned the participants and the organisers with Kente Sashes.

The participants of the Culture Lab adorning the Kente Sash

Ardayfio is now working on his own documentary film, “Water Tales: Black People Can’t Swim.” The documentary challenges the stereotype that black individuals cannot swim, shedding light on the societal and historical factors perpetuating this misconception. Through compelling narratives and personal stories, Ardayfio aims to debunk this stereotype and ignite conversations around representation, identity, and equality. “I want to showcase the relationship that black people have with water,” he said.

Participants of the Culture Lab with Thierry Meranger

Ardayfio’s journey from Ghana to La Rochelle, supported by the Ambassade de France au Ghana, underscores the global nature of cinema and the power of storytelling to bridge cultural gaps. As a participant in this year’s Culture Lab under the La Rochelle Film Festival, Ardayfio not only immersed himself but also emerged renewed as a beacon of creativity. His invaluable participation in the Culture Lab Program exemplified the festival’s commitment to fostering international collaboration and nurturing diverse talents. As Prince Andrew Ardayfio continues to make waves with his innovative projects, his unique vision and unwavering dedication position him as a driving force for change in the world of filmmaking, leaving an indelible mark on the industry’s landscape.

About La Rochelle Film Festival
The La Rochelle Film Festival is an international film festival held in La Rochelle, France. The festival was founded in 1973 and is one of the largest film festivals in Europe. The festival screens films from all over the world, and it also hosts a number of workshops and seminars for filmmakers.

CULTURE LAB 2023 – La Rochelle Film Festival

About Culture Lab
Organized by the La Rochelle Cinema Festival in partnership with the La Rochelle Youth Hostel, CultureLab, a project originally initiated by the French Institute in 2013, offers around ten students and young professionals the cinematographic, artistic and cultural spheres from all over the world to come and experience the festival in total immersion. For ten days, these young French-speaking foreigners, aged 18 to 30, follow a tailor-made program that includes numerous screenings of films from the repertoire in restored copies, previews, exclusive meetings with professionals from the world of cinema, film concerts, outings or even daily criticism courses given by Thierry Méranger, critic for Cahiers du Cinéma.
A vibrant meeting place for intercultural sharing, CultureLab aims to introduce its young participants to how a large-scale film festival works, to introduce them to cinematographic works as diverse as they are varied through an eclectic program, to develop their practice of the French language and to create links with other students or professionals from the world of cinema met during the festival.