Cinema: Morocco guest of honor in Dakar

Speaking on this occasion, the Moroccan ambassador to Senegal, Hassan Naciri, indicated that the choice of Morocco as guest of honor at this festival illustrates the uniqueness of the ties uniting Morocco and Senegal, on the one hand, and to Belgium, on the other hand, since these links, deep and sincere, are not limited to the political or economic but also embrace the spiritual and find a particularly beautiful resonance in the cultural domain.

For the Moroccan diplomat, cinema is much more than “simple entertainment. It is an invitation to dialogue and a tool to deconstruct prejudices and raise awareness.” “It is also a bridge between nations, a gateway between cultures and an engine of transformation, bringing hope, emancipation and development,” he said.

By honoring the Kingdom of Morocco, the festival gives us the opportunity to salute the strength of this art, and the deep commitment of our country to its development, said H. Naciri, highlighting the growing vitality and creativity of Moroccan cinema. , as evidenced by the leading cultural events organized in Morocco, such as the Marrakech International Film Festival, considered a true showcase of Moroccan and African cinema.

Salvatore Leocata, co-founder of the festival, affirmed that this edition focuses on Morocco, noting that this artistic event sees the participation of around ten African countries. She considered this festival as a springboard for independent directors or professionals to showcase their artistic works.

The opening ceremony was marked by the screening of the Moroccan short film “Amira” which addresses family social relations, as well as dreams and everyday challenges.
This film tells the story of a couple: Amira and Karam lead a very peaceful but monotonous life with their daughter Sonia for Amira who wants to work to help her husband buy an apartment. Karam is about to sign the sales contract when he discovers that his wife is hiding money. He decides with the help of his boyfriend to catch her in the act of adultery.

According to its organizers, the Brussels International Film Festival (FIFB) in Dakar (December 3 to 7), is a space for discovery, exchange and reflection, aiming to highlight African cinema and offer the general public new authors, filmmakers and innovative new creations.

The Festival plans three competitions, one international, another dedicated to young people and a third focused on documentaries, in addition to meetings and forums intended to explore current issues in the film industry.

(With MAP)