The 5th edition of the International Cultural Film Festival “Imedghassen” kicked off yesterday evening in Batna province.
The General Inspector of the Ministry of Culture and Arts, Missoum Laroussi, emphasized the “importance of this event, which will continue until September 16, in enriching the national cultural scene.” He also reminded that the festival has become a platform for art and creativity, offering a chance to celebrate cinema, exchange experiences, and discover talents.
Laroussi added that “this festival, which this year is distinguished by the presence of the friendly country of Vietnam as the guest of honor, will contribute to supporting the artistic movement, especially after its official recognition by the state.”
The opening ceremony included honoring artists Seloum Haddad from Syria, Saleh Al-Jadi from Tunisia, and Algerian actresses Malika Belbey and Dalila Halilo.
The festival’s director, Issam Tachit, also announced that 53 films from 27 countries will compete for the festival’s awards, which will be presented in five categories: “Short Fiction Films, Short Documentary Films, Action Films, Critics’ Award for Short Fiction Films, and Critics’ Award for Long Fiction Films.”
Tachit explained that a rich program will be prepared to showcase Vietnam’s cinematic experience. He also mentioned that Palestine will be represented in this edition with a film in the official competition.
This edition will feature training workshops for 50 young film enthusiasts in areas such as directing, acting, film production, and sound engineering at the Batna Cinematheque. Additionally, intellectual seminars will be held on topics such as cinema and literature, as well as the preservation and promotion of historical landmarks, including the Numidian royal tomb “Imedghassen.”
