Michael Kantinti :
«It’s thanks to volunteers that I learned French»

PostED ON OCTOBER 14 AT 11:05 AM

Copyright Institut Lumière / Laura Lépine

“Meeting actor Donald Sutherland last year is a great memory; I loved this event!” Michael Kantinti did not hesitate for a second to put on his volunteer outfit again this year, saying, “I love the cinema, and above all, the atmosphere of this festival!"  Between the distribution of the newspaper, welcoming the public at the Halle Tony Garnier or seating viewers in the Auditorium, Michael handles a multitude of missions, without forgetting to refine his cinephilia: "I am going to see A History of Violence with Viggo Mortensen and I really want to discover the Dardenne Brothers’ films. The festival is also an opportunity to improve my French". Originally from Uganda, Michael moved to France in 2016 and joined the Singa association, which helps newcomers. In Lyon, he became a volunteer at Secours Populaire, where he gave English lessons to unaccompanied minors and participated in the creation of a practical guide intended to facilitate the daily life of migrants. “Thanks to the association ‘Watizat’, we launched the guide at the beginning of October for new arrivals. I also participated in the writing of a book that brings together the testimonies of migrants called "We are here". An essential commitment for the young man, who is also one of the authors of the online newspaper, “Tido Media”. “When I arrived, I did not speak French and it is thanks to volunteers that I learned this language. It is important for me to give back, by giving lessons or by volunteering at the festival, it is sharing ". Word of a Lyonnais.

Laura Lépine