The Carthage Film Festival has revealed the official poster for its 36th edition, scheduled to take place from December 13 to 20, 2025. This year’s image features a woman in motion, her silhouette illuminated by a vibrant flow of blue, violet, fuchsia and warm orange tones. Designed by Firas Agrebi, the figure appears propelled forward by a luminous breath, as if opening a path toward renewal. Her forward-leaning gesture conveys freedom and determination, echoing the spirit of the JCC—an enduring space for cultural resistance, shared narratives and dialogue among African and Arab cinemas. The jasmine she holds anchors the visual identity in Tunisia, evoking hospitality, memory and creative vitality, all central to the festival’s history.
Alongside the poster reveal, the JCC has announced the list of Tunisian films selected by an independent committee for the official competitions. The titles offer a vivid snapshot of the current dynamism of Tunisian cinema and its presence on the international scene.
In the Official Feature Fiction Competition, three films will represent Tunisia. Where the Wind Comes From by Amel Guellaty continues its strong festival run, after winning the Best Arab Fiction Award at the 2025 El Gouna Film Festival. It is joined by Kaouther Ben Hania’s The Voice of Hind Rajab, which made a remarkable impression at the Venice Film Festival, earning the Silver Lion. The film has since been selected in several major festivals and was submitted by Tunisia for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film. The third title, Promis Le Ciel by Erige Sehiri, opened the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2025.
The Official Feature Documentary Competition includes three Tunisian works: Le Para-dis by Majdi Lakhdar, Notre Semence by Anis Lassoued, and On The Hill by Belhassen Handous. Each brings its own perspective and approach, reflecting the steady growth and diversification of documentary filmmaking in Tunisia.
Finally, three Tunisian films appear in the Official Short Film Competition: Le fardeau des ailes by Rami Jarboui, Sursis by Walid Tayaa, and Tomates Maudites by Marwa Tiba. Short films, often the first testing ground for emerging directors or a space of bold experimentation, remain a vital component of the Carthage Film Festival.
With a poster that leans toward the horizon and a national selection that highlights a wide range of voices and visions, the 36th Carthage Film Festival promises an edition attentive to the stories shaping today’s world—and to those still finding their form.
Neïla Driss
