EDITORIAL
Carthage Film Festival 35th Edition: Tunis, December 14–21, 2024
The Carthage Film Festival (JCC) is the oldest film festival in Africa and the Arab world. It was the first festival to present its top honor, the Golden Tanit, at its inaugural session in 1966 to the first sub-Saharan African feature film—Ousmane Sembène’s Black Girl (La Noire de…) from Senegal. Since then, the festival has consistently championed African and Arab films, prioritizing works that explore the social, political, and even poetic realities of their countries, reflecting the unique artistic visions of their creators rather than the dominant commercial entertainment cinema.
Over its more than half-century existence, JCC has spotlighted some of the greatest names in African and Arab cinema, often before they gained international recognition. These include Mali’s Souleymane Cissé, who won his first award at Carthage in 1972 for his debut short film before being celebrated at Cannes in 1987; Egypt’s Youssef Chahine, a Golden Tanit laureate in 1970, later honored with a Silver Bear at Berlin in 1978; and Palestine’s Hany Abu-Assad, whose Rana’s Wedding gained attention at JCC in 2002 before winning the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film in 2006 and the Golden Tanit in 2014. Mauritania’s Abderrahmane Sissako, who presented his short film Sabrya at JCC, went on to achieve international success and win seven César Awards for Timbuktu in 2015, returning to JCC as jury president in 2016.
Rejecting luxury and glitter, JCC has remained an activist festival, committed to humanist causes, including a growing focus on environmental issues. One of its greatest achievements and points of pride is the cultivation of a discerning and passionate audience over decades. This audience fills theaters not to watch heavily promoted international blockbusters but to discover new works from Africa and the Arab world—often by unknown filmmakers and without prior advertising. Thanks to this unique “mass cinephilia” for films from the Global South, Carthage has become a rare space where audiences can experience the fervent reception of Southern films by a Southern audience, creating an atmosphere unlike any other.
For visitors, JCC also offers the opportunity to glimpse the future of cinema through its “Carthage Pro” workshops, which provide logistical and financial support to emerging filmmakers. These sessions showcase upcoming projects and unfinished films from the Global South, potentially introducing the next generation of cinematic greats.
In 2024, the festival aims to reaffirm its dedication to its founding mission while continuing to nurture the dreams and aspirations of tomorrow’s filmmakers.
Honorary President of JCC 2024
Férid Boughedir
In a world where cinema is constantly evolving and redefining itself by adopting new standards, the question is no longer whether this industry can adapt to the profound transformations in the realm of imagery, nor whether festivals, which require audiences to attend in person, still hold relevance. Images are now omnipresent in our lives, accessible at home and at any moment.
The real challenge today lies in reflecting on the creative process itself: how deeply should narratives delve—whether they are intimate and personal or rooted in collective experience? Whether bold and groundbreaking or adhering to established norms, the essence lies in allowing the audience to connect with what they see, to make the works their own, to reflect on them, or even to reject them—but always in an environment that fosters sincere dialogue.
Since their inception, the Carthage Film Festival (JCC) has stood out by placing the unique aspects of cinematic creation at the heart of its discussions while celebrating Arab and African narratives. These stories resonate with an audience that not only sees itself reflected in them but also actively engages in discussions about preserving and revitalizing cinematic heritage.
The JCC audience plays a vital role: curious, passionate, and invested, it ensures the continuity and relevance of this festival, even in a world saturated with images and shaped by the rapid consumption of content on digital platforms. The challenge lies in curating a program deeply rooted in authentic artistic expression and reconnecting the audience with the collective experience of cinema, so essential in the past.
Over the decades, the JCC has played a significant role in the evolution of cinema in the region while reflecting the major transformations it has undergone. The festival has consistently showcased works that tell our stories, mirror our realities, and open new horizons. This year, the festival continues to honor Arab and African cinema while highlighting the vitality and creativity of Tunisian cinema, which remains the cornerstone of this event.
For this edition, the JCC introduces innovations by incorporating immersive experiences such as virtual reality, highlighting socially engaged animated films, and raising awareness about environmental issues through films addressing ecological crises. These new forms of storytelling reflect the festival’s ambition to connect increasingly diverse audiences with an art form that is constantly moving and evolving.
In a world in crisis—marked by conflicts, climate disasters, social injustices, forced migrations, and colonial aggression—cinema emerges as a tool for resistance and a keeper of memory. This year, the JCC spotlights powerful stories from countries like Palestine, Lebanon, Sudan, Yemen, and Rwanda. These tales, steeped in pain and resilience, remind us that cinema can be both a weapon and a window, shedding light on hidden worlds while shaping collective awareness.
The JCC remains steadfast in its mission: to celebrate Tunisian cinema while welcoming works from around the world that explore universal themes such as solidarity and commitment to fundamental causes. This festival is a space for sharing and a celebration of ideas, cultures, and human values.
We are proud to welcome you to join us in celebrating the magic of cinema together!
Lamia Belkaied Guiga
Artistic Director
