From December 14 to 21, 2024, Tunis becomes the epicenter of Mediterranean and African cinema under the wise direction of Tunisian filmmaker Férid Boughedir. With an ambitious program of 217 films from 21 countries, this edition marks a turning point in the history of the festival.
The event stands out for its bold choice to honor three nations with rich and complex cinematographic contexts: Senegal, Palestine and Jordan. The opening ceremony perfectly illustrates this desire for openness and intercultural dialogue with the projection of two striking works: Upshot by Palestinian director Maha Haj and The Freedom Giver by Iraqi filmmaker Kays Alzubaydi.
The exceptional presence of Tunisian cinema constitutes one of the highlights of this edition, with a record number of 99 films in competition. This massive participation testifies to the vitality of national film production and the capacity of the festival to play its role as a catalyst for the local industry.
The organizers have also demonstrated innovation by introducing several new sections which considerably enrich the programming. The creation of a national competition dedicated to Tunisian productions offers an unprecedented platform to showcase local talent. The “Panorama 35” section provides an elegant solution to the constraints encountered in 2023 by allowing the screening of films initially scheduled for that year. The introduction of “Carthage Extended” marks the festival’s entry into the digital age by exploring the possibilities offered by immersive art and virtual reality.
Previous articleAfrican cultural week: seven highlights on display!
Next articleSymphonic Gospel in Lyon: a fusion of genres