1. Place – period - name
1.1 The “African Film Festival” has been held in Milan every March-April for seven days  since 1991. In 2004, the Festival took the name of the  Festival of African, Asian and Latin American Cinema, extending the selection to films from these three continents. Events are held in parallel, or  immediately afterwards,  in other Italian towns and cities.
2. Objectives
2.1 The Festival of African, Asian and Latin American Cinema is an opportunity to meet and become acquainted with the themes and languages of new cinemas which are, for the most part, unknown to Italian audiences, for a growth in North-South dialogue and encounter. There is a multiplication of ways of viewing the most concealed cinemas to stimulate intercultural dialogue. The presence at the festival of directors from the three continents represents an opportunity of professional exchange with professional operators from Italy and Europe, as well as the opportunity to stimulate South-South co-productions. By involving the cinemas of Asia and Latin America, there is the ambition to give a new boost to African cinema, both in terms of economic development of production and inclusion of African professionals in the international cultural and cinema sector.
3. Creation and Organization
3.1 Encouragement by the bodies concerned, of Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Union, the Italian Bishops’ Conference,  and the favourable reception by the Lombardy Regional Council and the participation of the Milan City and Provincial Councils  made the creation of the African Film Festival in Milan possible.
3.2 The Festival is organized by the  COE-Centro Orientamento Educativo, a non-governmental organization which has been working for several years on the promotion and distribution of cinema from the three continents.
3.3 The COE creates an Organization Management and an Artistic Management for the Festival.
4. Activities of the Festival
4.1 The film programme of the Festival is divided into seven film sections.

“Windows on the world” feature film competition
Fiction films by directors from Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Prize: €15,000
Public’s prize: €7,500
“Windows on the world” documentary competition
Documentaries by directors from Africa, Asia and Latin America (minimum running time 60 mins.).
Prize: €7,500
Best African Film Competition
Fiction films from the most recent African production (minimum running time 60 mins.)
Prize €10,000
African Short Film Competition (max. running time 59 mins.)
Prize: €7,500.
African Documentary and Non Fiction Competition (max. running time 59 mins.)
Prize: €5,000
Non Competitive Section
Films and documentaries on Africa, Asia and Latin America by directors who are not from these continents. This informative section includes those films that do not meet the criteria of the competition but which contribute to conveying a different image of the three continents for a greater and better knowledge of their social and cultural realities.
Retrospective Section.
Tribute to the father of African cinema: Sembène Ousmane.

4.2 In parallel with the programme there are: Exhibitions –Meetings with the directors – Debates and round tables - Concerts.
4.3 The Festival devotes special attention to young people with a Schools Section and a University Section: special screenings and meetings with directors, seminars and workshops.
5. Registration for the festival
5.1 The films are selected by the Artistic Directors of the Festival according to their artistic values and contents.
5.2 Films and videos made in 2007 and 2008 can enter the competitive sections.
5.3 To register for the festival the entry form must be completed and a VHS cassette or DVD sent no later than 31st January 2008. Entrance is free of charge.
5.4 The entry form must be accompanied by a synopsis and photo of the film and a photo, biography and filmography of the director.
5.5 Notice of selection is sent to the producer or director by the Festival.
5.6 The Festival keeps a VHS cassette or DVD of the film in its archives exclusively for private use.
6. Films
6.1 The copy of the film (film or video) must reach the Festival no later than 25th March 2008.
6.2 The festival pays for the shipment of the copies of the selected films (films and videos).
6.3 All the copies must be in their original version and, if possible, subtitled in Italian.
6.4 Only the Betacam SP PAL format is accepted for the video screenings
7. Juries and Awards
7.1 Personalities from the world of the cinema and culture are invited by the Festival Directors and make up three Official Juries who award the official prizes.
7.2 Alongside the official Awards there are many special prizes and acknowledgements.
7.3 The public is invited to vote for the feature films in the Windows on the World Competition, giving their votes on special cards distributed at the entrance of the cinemas. The Public’s Prize is awarded to the film that obtains the highest score.
8. Screenings and audience
8.1 The screenings are held in 7 cinemas in the centre of Milan.
8.2 The cinemas are open to the public on purchase of a ticket or pass.
8.3 Passes at reduced rates are available for cultural associations and students.
9. Press accreditation
9.1 Journalists can request free accreditation.
9.2 Requests for accreditation must be sent no later than 28th February 2008.
9.3 Requests for accreditation must be made on headed paper and signed by the Managing Editor of the publication.

African, Asian and Latin American Film Festival
Via Lazzaroni 8 - 20124 Milan, Italy
Tel: +39-02-6696258 Fax:+39-02-66714338
festival@coeweb.org