2024-07-12 22:29:54
During the opening ceremony, which took place in the presence of the elite of the 7th art in Africa and personalities from the world of culture and the media, a warm tribute was paid to the Moroccan actor Mohamed El Khalfi.
Held under the High Patronage of HM King Mohammed VI, this event put Moroccan and African filmmakers and artists who form the members of the jury of the two competitions in the spotlight.
The jury for the feature film competition, chaired by Egyptian director Hala Khalil, includes Jean Roke Patoudem from Cameroon, Afifa Hassainate from the United Kingdom, Kalou Bi Goulian Émile from Ivory Coast and Saïdou Bokoum from Guinea.
Tunisian writer and film critic Sonia Chamkhi chairs the short film jury alongside Moroccan film critic Bouchta Farqzaid and Yacouba Beidari from Niger.
The Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, indicated on this occasion that FICAK has been paving its way since 1977 to affirm the African voice and the right to image and visual imagination of the peoples of the continent.
“At its beginnings, the Khouribga Festival was a pioneer. By betting on free cinema, close to the public, far from the standards imposed by Western entertainment, it accompanied the evolution and emancipation of an African cinema that was both creative and popular,” he said in a speech read on his behalf, noting that African cinema is today “mature and capable” of launching into the conquest of national and international markets.
And he added that the great African filmmakers, many of whom were honored for the first time here in Khouribga, are now recognized in film festivals in Europe or North America, noting that audiences around the world are beginning to discover African cinema as they had discovered Indian or South American cinema before him.
Under the enlightened leadership of HM King Mohammed VI, Morocco is registering its economic and cultural emergence in its natural framework, the African continent, the minister was keen to clarify, noting that the Kingdom has in particular succeeded in creating the foundation of a strong and credible film industry, which places Africa on the map of creative industries.
For his part, the president of the Khouribga African Film Festival Foundation, Habib El Malki, stressed the continental scope of this event which “aims to celebrate, each year, the diversity, creativity and depth of African cinema, thus offering a specific platform to share high-quality, attractive and, for many of us, very inspiring cinematographic works.”
This event is intended to be an opportunity to explore an exceptional selection of films that highlight the cultural, social and political richness of Africa, said Mr. El Malki, adding that “these cinematographic works will transport us to diverse worlds, inviting us to reflect, feel and engage.”
Referring to Mali’s participation as guest of honor, he noted that Malian cinema will enrich the festival with a very attractive selection of its cinematographic works.
“The filmmakers, directors and actors of Mali have made, through the diversity and originality of their artistic production, a significant contribution to the African film industry, and we are honored to share and celebrate their works during these days of the festival,” he said.
Malian cinema is the guest of honor at this 24th edition of FICAK, which will see the screening of six films by Malian filmmakers in the presence of directors, writers, artists and novelists from this country.
Likewise, this edition, which is celebrating its 47th anniversary this year, has maintained the African Film Critics Prize as well as the “Don Quixote” Prize, awarded by the National Federation of Film Clubs in Morocco.
The programme of this event, which continues until 18 May, includes the screening of a series of educational films for the benefit of pupils and students in the region, as well as the organisation of a screenplay competition, for the first time in the history of the Festival.
As part of its openness to its environment, FICAK will open the doors of the local prison of Khouribga for a new edition of the “Cultural Festival of African Prisoners”, a key moment of this continental event dedicated to the 7th art.
Also on the agenda is the organization of FICAK’s midnight symposiums and debates, a recognized tradition at the festival intended to bring cinema closer to film lovers.
FICAK, whose first edition dates back to 1977, is considered to be one of the oldest film festivals in Morocco and the third largest African film festival on the continent.
2024-07-12 22:29:54