Tunisia in the spotlight at the International Film Film Festival in Assouan

The International Film Festival of Assouan Women’s Film (Egypt) has proudly announced that Tunisia will be the guest of honor of its eighth edition, scheduled for April 20 to 25, 2024. This appointment results from a close collaboration between the Festival and the National Center for Cinema and Image in Tunisia, under the aegis of the Ministry of Tunisian Cultural Affairs.

This year marks a first in the history of the festival, since it is the first time that a country is designated guest of honor. This decision reflects the recognition of the remarkable successes of Tunisian cinema, in particular in highlighting female issues. It also celebrates the rise of many Tunisian directors, whose works were greeted in prestigious festivals, collecting in the passage of important distinctions.

As part of this tribute to Tunisia as a guest of honor, a tribute will be paid to the talented editor Kahena Attia, who will also be entrusted with the presidency of the jury for the competition of feature films. His remarkable career in Tunisian and African cinema will thus be highlighted and celebrated.

For the opening of this eighth edition, the film Olffa’s girls will be projected, also participating in the competition of feature films. This film, carried by Hend Sabri and directed by Kaouthar Ben Hania, has already made the minds in official competition at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2023. He also received the prestigious César 2024 for the best documentary and was appointed to the Oscar 2024 in the same category.

Will also be in competition for feature films, the film Backstagewith Afef Ben Mahmoud and Saleh Bakri in the main roles, directed by Afef Ben Mahmoud and Khalil Benkirane, and who has already had the honor of being presented during the previous edition of the Venice Festival.

The Assouan Festival also provides a panel dedicated to female cinema in Tunisia, bringing together Tunisian criticism, academic and directors. In addition, a special program of recent Tunisian short films will be offered, highlighting the best of the country’s film production. Finally, director Mirvet Médini Kammoun will be part of the jury of the short films competition.

It should be noted that in the previous edition in 2023, The festival had paid tribute to the Tunisian director Salma Baccar. She had also been appointed President of the Jury of the EU Prize and had hosted a master’s degree, thus sharing his experience with the public present and had also animated A debate with young people and told them some of his memories.

This increased recognition of Tunisian cinematography and its emblematic figures testifies to the vitality and diversity of the Tunisian cinematographic landscape, as well as its impact on the international scene. The International Film Film of Assouan women is thus an unmissable event to celebrate and promote the talent of women in the seventh art.

The International Film Film Film of Assouan, created in 2017, is the first annual festival of the Egyptian film emphasizing cinematographic works representing the problems of women, celebrating their successes and supporting directors in Egypt and in the Mena region.

Neïla Driss