The Tunisian film industry is gearing up to participate in the 2nd Doha Film Festival, with the short film "Somewhere I Belong" by director Youssef Handous making its way into the official competition. The film, which runs for 21 minutes, explores themes of exile and loss of landmarks. It is one of 22 short films competing in the international short film competition.
The film "Somewhere I Belong" is written and directed by Youssef Handous and features performances by Nizar Ben Belgacem, Elias Ghazwani, and Monir Mabrouk. The film was produced by the Higher Institute of Multimedia Arts in Manouba and received support from the National Center for Cinema and Image. It has previously participated in several film festivals, including "La Cinef" at the Cannes Film Festival and the Luxor African Film Festival in Egypt.
Tunisia's presence at the Doha Film Festival is not limited to the film "Somewhere I Belong". Producer Dora Bouchoucha and Tunisian-French actor Adam Bissa are set to join the jury for the long film competition. The jury, led by Japanese director Naomi Kawase, also includes Italian director Gianfranco Rossi and Palestinian director Kamal Al Jafari.
The Doha Film Festival has announced the lineup of films competing in the official competition, which includes 15 long films. The Yemeni-Scottish film "The Station" by director Sarah Ishaq has been chosen to open the festival. The festival aims to promote Arab and international cinema, with a focus on emerging talent and innovative storytelling.
The participation of Tunisian cinema in the Doha Film Festival comes after two Tunisian film projects received grants from the Doha Film Institute during its spring session. The documentary film "Solo" by Amin Boukhris and the series project "Sisters of Rap" by Alifa Ben Ashour were selected for funding and development programs.
The Doha Film Institute, established in 2010, has been supporting film projects through financing, training, and mentorship programs. Since its inception, the institute has supported nearly 1,000 film projects. Its initiatives aim to promote the development of Arab cinema and provide opportunities for emerging filmmakers.
The 2nd Doha Film Festival promises to be an exciting event, showcasing a diverse range of films from around the world. With the participation of Tunisian cinema, the festival is set to highlight the country's rich film industry and its contribution to the Arab film scene.
Key points
- The Tunisian film "Somewhere I Belong" is competing in the international short film competition at the 2nd Doha Film Festival.
- Producer Dora Bouchoucha and actor Adam Bissa are part of the jury for the long film competition at the festival.
- The Doha Film Institute has supported nearly 1,000 film projects since its establishment in 2010.
