The International Desert Film Festival is set to hold its third edition in the towns of Jedida and Mansoura, in the governorate of Kébili, Tunisia, from November 12 to 15, 2026. Organized by the Sahara Art association, with the support of the National Center of Cinema and Image (CNCI), the festival aims to bring cinema to the people in an unusual setting. The event will feature screenings, meetings, and workshops, offering a unique experience for attendees.
The festival will showcase a selection of Tunisian and foreign short and feature films, as well as experimental works created using digital technology. Children's sessions will also be held, with films and discussions led by programmer Ridha Ayadi. The event's ambition is to create an open and diverse program that brings together different audiences and promotes dialogue between people from various backgrounds.
The festival's program includes workshops and training sessions in various areas, such as film direction, editing, photography, screenwriting, acting, and music. These activities will be led by industry professionals, including Iskander Tlili, Atef Ben Hassine, Ons Kamoun, Abdallah Chamekh, Abdallah Chaïbi, Marouane Trabelsi, and Alia Chekroun. The workshops aim to provide participants with hands-on experience and skills in different aspects of filmmaking.
A key part of the festival is the competition, which will be divided into several categories, including professional short films, amateur and first-time filmmaker productions, and university productions. A jury will select the winners, who will receive the Golden, Silver, and Bronze Rose of the Sands awards, as well as a jury prize and special mentions. Notable guests include Ibrahim Letaief, Alia Chakroun, and Atef Ben Hassine.
The festival will also feature a roundtable discussion on the relationship between cinema and artificial intelligence, a topic that has sparked both interest and concern in the film industry. The event's organizers aim to create a platform for discussion and exchange between filmmakers, industry professionals, and audiences.
The festival's closing ceremony will feature a concert by singer Raouf Maher. The event's program includes films from the second edition of the "Oscar du petit secouriste" competition, which took place on June 1, 2025, at the Tunis Municipal Theater. These films address themes relevant to children and adolescents, such as bullying, violence, solidarity, citizenship, prevention, and first aid.
By choosing the desert as a setting for the festival, the organizers aim to promote a different conception of cinema that goes beyond traditional movie theaters. The event's success will depend on its reception by local residents and visitors, but its importance lies in its effort to bring films closer to audiences, promote local creativity, and create a cultural event in a region where such gatherings are valuable.
Key points
- The festival will feature a selection of Tunisian and foreign films, as well as experimental works created using digital technology.
- The event includes workshops and training sessions in various areas of filmmaking, led by industry professionals.
- A roundtable discussion on the relationship between cinema and artificial intelligence will be held as part of the festival.
