Curtain raises on the 12th Dakhla International Film Festival – Media7

Wednesday, June 5, 2024 at 9:42

Dakhla – The 12th edition of the Dakhla International Film Festival opened Tuesday evening in the presence of a host of artists, filmmakers and personalities from the world of art, culture and media.

The opening ceremony of this festival, initiated by the association for cultural and artistic animation in the southern provinces, under the slogan “Dakhla, gateway to Africa” and which will continue until June 9, was was marked by a tribute to Moroccan and African artists and filmmakers, in addition to the screening of the Moroccan feature film “Ana machi ana” by its director Hicham Jabbari.

Thus, tributes were paid to directors Joseph Kumbela from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mohamed Abderrahman Tazi from Morocco and to Moroccan actress Majdouline Idrissi.

Another tribute was also paid to the director of the Moroccan Cinematographic Center (CCM), Abdelaziz El Bouzdaini, in recognition of his distinguished contribution to the enrichment of the Moroccan cinema scene.

Speaking on this occasion, the president of the festival, Zine El Abidine Charafeddine, indicated that after 11 editions, this festival is now an important Afro-Arab cinematographic event, which has carved out a place of choice in the African cultural scene and the Middle East.

Mr. Charafeddine also expressed his determination to further develop this film festival and to promote the Dakhla destination, via culture in general and cinema in particular, saying he was impressed by the enthusiasm generated by this annual meeting.

The novelty of this edition, he continued, is the establishment of the “Dakhla Project” platform, aimed at supporting ongoing feature film script projects, adding that this cinematographic mass is intended to be an opportunity to promote cultural and artistic animation in the region of Dakhla-Oued Eddahab.

The 12th edition of the Dakhla international film festival will see the screening of a series of feature films, namely “Goodbye Julia” by Mohammed Kordofani (Sudan), “The Ghost of Boko Haram” by Cyrille Raingou (Cameroon), “Moi , captain” by Matteo Garrone (Italy), “When is Africa” by David-Pierre Fila (Congo Brazzaville), “Mami Wata” by JS Obasi (Nigeria), “Amakor” by Ahmed Alkhudari (Kuwait), “Three ” by Nayla Al Khaja (United Arab Emirates) and “Glass of Friendship” by Naoufel Berraoui (Morocco).

Chaired by Belgian director Manuel Poutte, the jury for the official competition of this cinematographic event is made up of university professor Sanaa Ghouati from Morocco, writer and director Rahmatou Keita from Niger, Egyptian actress Salwa Mohammad Ali and the director Michael Rayburn from Zimbabwe.

As for the short film competition, it is “Legacy” by Hussein Hijazi (Lebanon), “Lobi Ekosimba” by Kumbuka Maini (Democratic Republic of Congo), “Sous silence” by Mazigna Barros (Senegal ), “Envoy of God” by Amina Mamani (Niger), “Al-Banjeri” by Moosa Nasser Al-Kindi (Oman), “Deasparence of Mrs.V” by Mena Yuosry – (Egypt), “Miss selfie” by Naima Ziani (Morocco) and “Hairdressing Salon” by Fatima Wardy (Sudan).

The short film jury, which is chaired by Moroccan director Adil Fadili, is made up of Cameroonian director Mary-Noel Niba, cinematographer Amine Messadi from Tunisia, Moroccan journalist Laila Ellab and director and chef editor Catherine Mantion from France.

As part of the parallel activities of this event, there is a symposium on “Cinema and artificial intelligence: a trapped gift?” and a round table on “Cinema and the national narrative”, in addition to two meetings on “Cinema and distribution: Audiovisual distribution strategies” and on “The cinematographic expertise of director Mohamed Abderrahman Tazi”, as well as a workshop focused on the principles of production.

Likewise, film screenings open to the public are planned, including in particular the Moroccan film “The Divorcedes of Casablanca” by Mohamed Ahed Bensouda, in addition to animated films intended for children.

Furthermore, this edition will be marked by the establishment of the “Dakhla Project” platform aimed at supporting ongoing feature film script projects from producers and directors, Arab, African or those from the diaspora.