Carthage Film Days 2025: Arab Cinema Faces New Challenges
The 36th edition of the Carthage Film Days has launched with over 160 films from 23 countries, yet first-time Arab premieres remain limited, while Tunisian cinema shines with a strong local presence ✨.
The 36th Carthage Film Days kicked off with over 160 films screened across 14 venues 🎥, including 96 feature films and 69 short films from 23 countries.
54 films compete in official competitions, including:
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14 feature-length narrative films
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12 feature-length documentaries
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16 short films
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12 films in the Carthage Cinema of Tomorrow competition 🌟
Tunisian Presence
Tunisian cinema is strongly represented with 46 films (23 feature films and 23 shorts), showcasing the country’s dynamic film production.
International Competitions and Arab Films
Despite this strong presence, the international competition did not feature any Arab world premieres from Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, or other Arab countries, highlighting challenges in global visibility.
📽️ Highlighted Films
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Nigeria: "My Father's Shadow" (Akinola Davies)
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Sudan: "Queen of Cotton" (Suzana Mirghani)
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Iraq: "Erkala: The Dream of Gilgamesh" (Mohammed Jabara Al-Darraji)
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Chad: "Dia" (Achille Ronaïmo)
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Saudi Arabia: "Migration" (Shahad Amin)
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Egypt: "Colonia" (Mohamed Siam) & "Stories" (Abu Bakr Shawqi)
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Jordan: "Drowning" (Zain Daraii)
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Algeria: "Ruqayya" (Yanis Koussim)
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Burkina Faso: "Katanga: Scorpion Dance" (Danny Kouyaté)
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Palestine: "Once Upon a Time in Gaza" (Arab & Tarzan Nasser)
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Tunisia: "Sky Without Ground" (Arij Sahiri), "Voice of Hind Rajab" (Kawthar Ben Heniya), "Where the Wind Takes Us" (Amal Qalati)
Additional Egyptian Entry
The Egyptian film "Family Film Sites" by Viola Shafik explores family memory and how films can shape social and cultural identity across borders 🌐.
✨ Juries
Screenwriter Maryam Naoum chairs the First Work Competition – Tahar Chériaa Award, alongside Burkinabe director Salam Zambaligri and Tunisian filmmaker-producer Ibrahim Latif.
💡 Analysis
Arab cinema faces clear challenges in international visibility, while Tunisian cinema demonstrates the potential for diverse storytelling across both feature and short films, promising a stronger and sustainable cinematic industry.
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