The Annaba Mediterranean Film Festival has withdrawn the film of Egyptian director Marwa El Sharkawy from its program, citing “baseless accusations” and a breach of agreement. The festival organizers expressed their deep regret over El Sharkawy’s social media statements, which they claim falsely portrayed Algeria and the festival in a negative light. They strongly refuted her allegations.
According to an official statement released by the festival, El Sharkawy was invited to participate in the festival’s fifth edition, scheduled to begin on September 27, 2025, with her film screening on September 28. The statement alleges that El Sharkawy independently requested changes to her travel and accommodation dates without prior coordination with the festival administration. Furthermore, she allegedly pressured Air Algerie staff to issue her a ticket using an open voucher without proper authorization, creating administrative complications that were not the festival’s responsibility.
The festival administration also stated that El Sharkawy failed to contact them upon her arrival in Algeria, as is customary. Instead, they claim she violated the agreed-upon protocol and subsequently published statements that the festival deemed “unfounded.” Consequently, the Annaba Mediterranean Film Festival has decided to completely and permanently remove El Sharkawy’s film from the current edition’s program. This decision aims to protect the festival’s integrity and reputation.
The statement concluded by emphasizing the festival’s deep respect for all filmmakers and its rejection of any attempts to tarnish Algeria’s image or exploit the festival for non-artistic purposes. The Annaba Film Festival aims to showcase Mediterranean cinema and foster cultural exchange, and the organizers felt El Sharkawy’s actions undermined these goals.
The controversy highlights the delicate balance between artistic freedom and adherence to festival regulations. While the festival organizers maintain that their decision was based on El Sharkawy’s alleged misconduct and violation of agreements, the situation raises questions about communication and potential misunderstandings between filmmakers and festival administrations. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of clear and consistent communication in the context of international film festivals, especially when dealing with logistical arrangements and travel plans. The Annaba Mediterranean Film Festival continues to operate and showcase other films as planned, focusing on celebrating the diverse cinematic landscape of the Mediterranean region. The festival hopes to move forward and continue to provide a platform for filmmakers from across the region to share their stories and connect with audiences.
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