Being appointed as the director general of the 31st edition of the Carthage Film Festival is an honor and a privilege.
My thought goes to my predecessors and their considerable contribution. The pioneers, such as Tahar Chériaa and Ahmed Bahaeddine Attia
or the late Nejib Ayed who, only two years ago, was still amongst us leading the Carthage Film Festival for the third year in a row,
he devoted so much energy, time and effort to breath a new life into this festival.
I am quoting only them because the list would be too long, and each one has been able in his or her own way, to make his or her
contribution.
We have a responsibility as a team toward this festival, and I have a particular responsibility and commitment as a director general
of the 31st edition of the Carthage Film Festival.
In addition to preserving the achievements and its unfailing attachment to the African and Arab, we wish to give this upcoming edition
a committed and militant dimension in the safeguarding of the environment.
I look forward to meeting you very soon to share with you the new outlines and news of the next edition that will be held in Tunis
from December 18 to 23, 2020
Ridha BEHI
Director General
The 31st session of Carthage Film Festival’s (JCC) will take place amidst the worldwide sanitary crisis, from 18th to 23rd of December 2020, keeping its passionate cinema loving audience at heart, for they have kept the Festival going since 1966.
In order to be faithful to the festival’s history and its militant founders, it is our duty to ensure that the show goes on. The exceptional edition will take place in an exceptional situation because we believe in the fundamental importance of culture and cinema in our lives. We do not want to let down the professionals and artists who are counting on us to screen their films and ensure their circulation as a way for African and Arab cinema to exist.
We discussed the possibility of hosting the festival on an online platform but decided to go ahead with theatre screenings as a reminder of the importance of cinema and its audience in our lives.
We chose to preserve the strong link between Carthage film festival and its local audiences rather than bet on an uncertain virtual outreach.
The Festival’s magic lies in the encounter between a film, its author and actors with the audience, but also in the individual and collective emotions it sparks.
Even though there will be no official competitions this year, this edition will be a unique occasion to rekindle the urge of going to movie theatres after months of absence to enjoy a selection of African and Arab short and feature films that have marked the festival’s history over the past fifty-four years. Gala premieres of recent films will also take place during this edition as will the professional meetings such as CHABAKA, TAKMIL, the FORUM dedicated to the festival’s future, Carthage film festival screenings in prisons and universities and other free events destined to our wide and loyal audience.
An ambitious program will unfold under strict health measures and a rigorous protocol we will all make sure to follow together.
Enjoy the festival and stay safe
Ibrahim Letaief
Directeur Artistique
