Timimoun, Algeria – The newly inaugurated Tinarkouk Cinema Palace in Timimoun is poised to become a cornerstone of Algeria’s burgeoning film industry. Supervised by the Algerian Minister of Culture and Arts, Malika Bendouda, the facility aims to transform the region into a prime destination for film production.
The rehabilitation of the Cinema Palace aligns with the national strategy to establish film-centric cities in southern Algeria. This initiative leverages the region’s rich history, diverse culture, and stunning natural landscapes, making them readily available to producers and directors within an economic framework. According to Kaddouri Abdel Salam, the manager of the Tinarkouk Cinema Palace, this approach will foster growth and innovation.
The Algerian Ministry of Culture has invested over 12 billion centimes in renovating the Tinarkouk tower and converting it into a modern cinema palace. Overseen by the Algerian Center for Cinema Development (CCDC), the palace will serve as an open cultural space featuring writing and directing workshops, accommodation and reception areas, costume and set design studios, and state-of-the-art sound and image processing facilities.
A dedicated section of the renovated palace, constructed using local materials like brick and wood, will be devoted to training in film-related crafts. This initiative aims to cultivate local talent capable of contributing to the film industry. During the opening of the Timimoun International Short Film Festival, the Minister of Culture and Arts emphasized that the refurbished palace, managed by the CCDC, is a fully equipped space ready for film production. She noted that it embodies the state’s cultural policy of democratizing creativity, decentralizing cultural activities, and making the arts accessible to all Algerians.
The Minister also revealed plans to produce a film about the historical battles fought across the Great Western Erg, a region that witnessed over eight significant conflicts. Furthermore, segments of Khaled Kbich’s film ‘For You,’ which was screened at the Ibn Khaldoun Cinema in Algiers, were filmed at the palace as part of an experimental project. The Tinarkouk Cinema Palace is expected to significantly contribute to the Algerian film landscape, boosting local production and attracting international filmmakers.
