The feature film “Por Jade” won two awards at the Musses Award-Levadia International Film Festival, in Greece, last Saturday, April 5, 2025. Tadisi Nsangu Baruch was awarded the Best Director Award and Marta Tomás received the Best Actress Award.

The film, selected from 150 productions from 50 countries, also competed in Cinematography and Production Design. The victory reinforces the growth of Angolan cinema on the international circuit.

The festival, held in the historic town of Levadia, brought together filmmakers from around the world from April 4th to 6th. "Por Jade" stood out with 114 points, the jury's highest score, surpassing competitors from countries with established film industries.

Tadisi Nsangu Baruch, speaking to Jornal de Angola, described the victory as "inexplicable" and "the fruit of the persistence of Angolan youth." The film, filmed in Luanda and the Tômbwa Desert, portrays the strength of women in the face of cultural clashes.

Actress Marta Tomás, who received the award for her role as the protagonist Jade, emphasized the importance of representing Angolan women.

“It is an honor to show our resistance on world stages”, he said.

This distinction wasn't the film's first. In September 2024, "Por Jade" won the Audience Award at the Tony Curtis International Film Festival in Hungary. In November of the same year, it earned three wins at the Portuguese Independent Film Festival.

The trajectory reflects the young filmmakers' strategy of exploring local narratives on small budgets. The film, which premiered in Paris in 2023, has already toured festivals on three continents, establishing itself as an ambassador for Angola's national culture.

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Winning this award in Greece marks a new chapter in the global recognition of Angolan cinema. The Musses Award-Levadia is recognized for promoting independent works with social themes. Tadisi Nsangu Baruch emphasized the importance of competing on equal terms with productions from major markets.

“We don’t have the same resources, but we have universal stories”, he said.

The Angolan production was filmed in 2022, using locations such as the Mártires de Kifangondo neighborhood and the Namibe Desert. The director chose local actors and Angolan technical teams, reducing costs without compromising quality. This strategy allowed for investment in details such as the cinematography by Tekassala Bousoudia Mandombe, also nominated at the festival.

The plot centers on Jade, a mother who faces cultural conflicts while defending her children. According to Baruch, the narrative is inspired by "real stories of Angolan women." The choice of Tômbwa as the setting was not random: the desert symbolizes the harshness and beauty of daily struggle.

The film's screening in Levadia on April 4th attracted hundreds of spectators. Many praised the authentic landscapes and the depth of the main character.

“It was like traveling to Angola without leaving Greece”, commented a film critic.

In addition to the awards, the festival also facilitated contact with European distributors. Walter Lourenço Paulo, head of production design, revealed discussions to screen "Por Jade" in theaters in Lisbon and Berlin.

“We want the world to know our creative capacity”, he said.

The victory in Greece comes at a time of expansion for Angolan cinema. Since 2020, the number of national productions at international festivals has tripled. Young filmmakers are turning to digital platforms to overcome the country's lack of movie theaters.

The screening of "Por Jade" goes beyond entertainment. The film serves as a tool of cultural diplomacy, presenting Angola through its landscapes and traditions. Scenes filmed in Tômbwa, for example, showcase local rituals little-known outside the country.

Marta Tomás, while preparing for the role, visited communities in Namibe to understand the reality of rural women. The actress emphasized that these women are unsung heroes and also mentioned the collaboration with the male actors who brought authenticity to the family conflicts portrayed.

The film's international success and the awards it has received are putting pressure on the Angolan government to prioritize the audiovisual sector, and new directors are calling for more funding and technical training.

“We need film schools and tax incentives for production companies”, Baruch defended.

Despite the challenges, Angolan creativity is attracting attention. In 2024, "Por Jade" was one of eight finalists at the Tony Curtis International Film Festival, competing against North American and European films. Winning the Audience Award demonstrated the universal appeal of its message.

The feature film also sparked debate about female representation in African cinema. Women's groups in Luanda organized special screenings, using the film to discuss gender equality, in which "Jade" became a symbol for all Angolan women.

"Por Jade" confirms Angola's place in the global cinematic landscape. The victories in Greece, Hungary, and Portugal demonstrate that local stories can win over global audiences. The film is an example of how art transforms limitations into opportunities.

Director Tadisi Nsangu Baruch's career is inspiring a new generation of filmmakers. With determination and talent, these young people prove that Angolan cinema has a bright future. The next step is to ensure that these achievements translate into sustainable infrastructure for the sector.