Carthage Strengthens Its Support for Filmmakers 🎬🌍

The Carthage Film Festival is preparing for its 37th edition with a strong focus on both cinema exhibition and professional development.

As part of this approach, the festival has opened applications for two major workshops: Chabaka and Takmil, organized under Carthage Pro, the festival’s professional industry platform.

The goal is to support filmmakers at different stages of the production process, from developing an early idea to completing a film that has already been shot.

✨ This approach reflects the importance of creating opportunities not only for completed films, but also for the projects and filmmakers who will shape the future of Arab and African cinema.

Chabaka: Turning Ideas into Strong Film Projects 🎥💡

The Chabaka workshop is designed for film projects that are still in development.

This stage is crucial because a strong cinematic idea needs much more than an interesting story.

A project requires a solid screenplay, a clear directorial vision, a realistic production strategy and a professional presentation capable of attracting potential partners.

🎬 Chabaka gives filmmakers the opportunity to work on these elements through professional guidance and creative discussions.

The workshop can help filmmakers identify weaknesses, strengthen their concepts and prepare their projects for the production stage.

It also creates opportunities to meet professionals who may become future production or financing partners.

Why Development Matters in Filmmaking 🎞️✨

Many films begin with promising ideas but encounter difficulties when they move from paper to production.

Problems may emerge in the screenplay, structure, budget or even the way the project is presented to producers and funding institutions.

💡 Professional development programs can help filmmakers address these issues before cameras start rolling.

This is one of the main values of Chabaka: it provides a working environment where a project can evolve before major production decisions become more difficult or expensive to change.

Takmil: Helping Films Reach the Finish Line 🎬🏁

While Chabaka focuses on development, Takmil targets films that have already reached the post-production stage.

At this point, filmmakers may need support with editing, sound, color grading, final technical work or preparing the film for distribution and festival circulation.

🎥 Takmil offers professional advice and guidance designed to help filmmakers bring their films closer to their final versions.

Previous editions have included projects from different Arab and African countries, reflecting the workshop’s broader mission of supporting diverse cinematic voices from the region.

Carthage Pro: Building a Professional Film Network 🌍🤝

Carthage Pro represents an important industry component of the Carthage Film Festival.

Its role goes beyond screenings by bringing together filmmakers and professionals from different parts of the film industry.

This can include:

🎬 Directors
🎥 Producers
✍️ Screenwriters
💼 Film funds
📺 Distributors
🌍 Cultural and film institutions
🎞️ Industry experts

For independent filmmakers, these connections can become essential in finding financing, production partners, distribution opportunities or international exposure.

Supporting Arab and African Cinema 🌍🎞️

One of the most important aspects of Carthage Pro is its connection to Arab and African cinema.

The region is home to filmmakers with unique stories and perspectives, but many projects face challenges related to financing, production and international distribution.

✨ Professional workshops can help bridge some of these gaps by combining creative development with industry networking.

Support is therefore not limited to financial assistance. It can also include script development, professional mentoring, project presentation skills and access to international industry contacts.

Application Deadline ⏰📩

According to the announced schedule, filmmakers interested in participating have until September 30, 2026 to submit their applications.

The submitted projects will then undergo an evaluation and selection process based on the program’s criteria.

📌 For filmmakers, this makes project preparation especially important. A clear concept, strong artistic vision and well-presented production information can help a project communicate its potential more effectively.

The 37th Carthage Film Festival Approaches 🎬🇹🇳

The workshops are part of the preparations for the 37th edition of the Carthage Film Festival, which the festival’s current official calendar lists for December 12–19, 2026.

The festival remains one of the major cinematic events connecting Arab and African filmmakers, audiences and industry professionals.

Its professional programs add another dimension to the festival by creating opportunities for films that are still being developed or completed.

Two Workshops, Two Stages of the Film Journey 🎥✨

Although Chabaka and Takmil operate under the same professional umbrella, they address two different stages.

🔹 Chabaka works with projects during development, helping filmmakers strengthen their ideas, scripts and production plans.

🔹 Takmil works with films after shooting has been completed, helping filmmakers move toward their final versions.

Together, they create a professional pathway from idea to production and from production to audience.

A Valuable Opportunity for Emerging Filmmakers 🚀🎬

For young directors and producers, programs such as these can provide an important opportunity to test their projects in front of experienced professionals.

Creative feedback can reveal new possibilities, while professional meetings can lead to partnerships that might otherwise be difficult to establish.

🤝 In an industry that depends heavily on collaboration and international networks, one professional meeting can sometimes become the starting point for a new production journey.

Conclusion 🎞️✨

By opening applications for Chabaka and Takmil, the Carthage Film Festival continues to invest in one of cinema’s most important resources: creative talent and original stories.

🌍 Chabaka supports projects during development.

🎬 Takmil helps completed productions move toward their final form.

🤝 Carthage Pro creates a space where filmmakers can connect with expertise, professional networks and potential opportunities.

At a time when independent filmmaking faces major production and distribution challenges, these initiatives are increasingly valuable because they do more than select finished films—they help build the films that audiences will discover in the future.

✨ Stay tuned for the latest news from Arab and African cinema, international festivals, filmmakers and the global entertainment industry.