The 14th Short Tunisian Film Festival is set to take place from October 1-4, 2026, with 16 short films participating in the event. The festival, organized by the Tunisian Association for the Promotion of Film Criticism, will feature a mix of documentary, narrative, and animated films. This year's edition coincides with the 40th anniversary of the association, adding to the festival's significance.
The festival's program will focus on the theme of "cinematic genre," exploring different film styles and genres. The event will include several workshops, masterclasses, and panel discussions, including a workshop on film criticism and a masterclass on cinematic writing. The festival will also feature a competition for film critics, with 10 writers competing for three prizes.
The festival will take place at the Africa Arts Center, with a limited budget of 30,000 dinars. Despite the financial constraints, the organizers aim to continue supporting short films and promoting film criticism in Tunisia. The event will also celebrate the work of four deceased Tunisian filmmakers, with four short films screened in their honor.
The festival's jury for the film competition includes notable critics and filmmakers, such as Taher Sheikhawi, Iqbal Zleila, and Narges Tarshani. The jury for the film criticism competition comprises Sadek Hammami, Kamel Ben Wnass, and Fawzia Al Mizi. The event will also feature a special presentation of a book titled "The Tunisian Short Film after 2011: Narratives of a Generation on the Move."
The festival will open with a screening of four short films paying tribute to four deceased Tunisian filmmakers: Ahmed Ben Nais, Ali Al Abidi, Tofigh Al Bahi, and Fadl Al Jaziri. The event will also feature a masterclass by Tunisian filmmaker Vittorio Balhia.
The Tunisian Association for the Promotion of Film Criticism has been organizing the festival for several years, with the event returning in 2025 after a six-year hiatus. The festival aims to promote short films and film criticism in Tunisia, providing a platform for emerging filmmakers and critics to showcase their work.
The festival will conclude on October 4 with a panel discussion titled "40 Years of Film Criticism in Tunisia," celebrating the anniversary of the Tunisian Association for the Promotion of Film Criticism. The event will also feature a closing ceremony and prize-giving for the film and criticism competitions.
Key points
- The festival will feature 16 short films and celebrate 40 years of the Tunisian Association for the Promotion of Film Criticism.
- The event will include workshops, masterclasses, and panel discussions on film criticism and genres.
- The festival will pay tribute to four deceased Tunisian filmmakers and feature a special presentation of a book on Tunisian short films.
