The Khouribga African film festival, which has earned an international reputation by showcasing works by the continent's filmmakers, opened Saturday (July 18th). Artists from various African countries gathered at the Moroccan host city to mark the 12th edition of the event with discussions covering everything from film piracy to promotions.
The chair of the film festival foundation, Noureddine Sail, said that he hoped to see Khouribga become a centre for African cinema, "by drawing from [a] rich repertoire and presenting works by talented proven film-makers".
The 12 films up for consideration have been painstakingly chosen, he added, even though their number remains modest in comparison to Africa's total film output. Sail cited the examples of Egypt, which produces 35 films a year, South Africa (15 films), and Morocco (between 15 and 18).
The festival, which runs through July 25th, offers a venue for fruitful exchange between African filmmakers. Moroccan director Daoud Oulad Sayed said the event offers a convivial setting for artists from different countries to bring themselves up to date on African cinema.
"This is a good opportunity to get a clearer idea of how good African films are, and to engage in serious discussions with a view to promoting the sector," said Moroccan actress Houda Sedki.
Tunisian director Khaled Ghorbal agreed, noting that African filmmakers need such opportunities to exchange points of view and discuss the issues they face.
The festival opened with a screening of the documentary "Mère Bi" by Senegalese director Ousmane William Mbaye, which was produced in homage to his mother Annette Mbaye from Erneville. This woman of letters, who founded a periodical devoted to film, has become an icon for the rights of women in Africa.
Ivorian director Timité Bassori, one of the pioneers of African cinema, also was honoured. "His films will live on in the annals of film-making," said the chair of the jury, Mauritanian director Abderrahmane Sissako.
In addition to the screenings, the organizers set up round-table discussions to debate issues associated with the sector.
On July 19th, a meeting about "Piracy and the Cinema" brought together filmmakers and Moroccan officials. Government spokesman and Communications Minister Khalid Naciri said that in Morocco, the final stages of work were under way to ensure greater coordination in the fight against piracy and forgery. Naciri added that a strategy had been put in place to boost participation by the various players concerned and to apply the full range of legal measures available, particularly through unannounced raids.
Many Khouribga residents expressed pleasure at hosting the event in their city.
"We're proud of this festival… It's an opportunity for the locals to find out about the development of film-making in Africa," said student Hicham Mardi.
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