The 38th Edition of the Fifak: A Festival Marked by Challenges
The change of date for the 38th edition of the Fifak had a significant impact on the festival. Some attendees who had planned to participate in the event, which was initially scheduled to take place from August 16 to 23, were forced to cancel their attendance.
A few jury members with professional commitments were only able to attend the beginning of the festival. The rest of the participants were scattered across three hotels and could only meet during film screenings. The public was also less numerous than usual.
A Rocky Start
The 38th edition almost didn't take place, but the Federation of Amateur Filmmakers (Ftca) decided to postpone the dates from August 23 to 30. The festival's opening was marked by a faux pas, with a documentary film about Palestine in English being screened, followed by another film of the same type the next day. The director of the first film, who was designated as the president of the international competition jury, refused to accept that his documentary was programmed out of competition and left the festival immediately.
Technical Success
Despite the challenges, the film screenings took place under good conditions, thanks to a technical team that ensured everything ran smoothly. The selection of films was a mixed bag, with highs and lows in both the international and national competitions. All categories were represented, including films from Ftca clubs, film schools, and independent filmmakers.
Emerging Talent
Tunisian films stood out for their bold subject matter, even if the treatment was sometimes simplistic. However, they represented the concerns of their filmmakers. The emergence of new Ftca clubs, such as those in Sidi Hssine, the pilot high school in Sousse, Ftca Bardo, and the Bir Mcherga cultural center, is a positive development. Ftca films are more inventive and daring, tackling taboo subjects. Film school productions were less relevant in terms of their treatment, particularly those from the University of Carthage, which were often in black and white and in French, with similar thematic and aesthetic approaches. Independent filmmakers need more guidance to complete their films.
Lively Debates
The debates that took place the day after each film screening were lively and effective. Young filmmakers discussed their work with their colleagues and answered questions, respecting each other's opinions. These fruitful debates allowed filmmakers to take into account the weaknesses and strengths of their productions.
Interesting Encounters
The encounters proposed throughout the festival week were interesting and varied. Salah Salah, a Palestinian-Jordanian director, gave a conference on Palestinian cinema and explained the reasons that led him to produce his documentary film. A debate on cinema and artificial intelligence with Zoubeir Jlassi, director of the animated film "Entre deux souffles," sparked a lively discussion. A debate on cinema and publishing, organized in partnership with the Ftca and the Atpcc, featured the presentation of books such as "Tunisian Films: Critiques and Interviews" by Neïla Gharbi and "Jilani Saâdi, a Rebel Filmmaker," a collective work by the Atpcc. Amnesty International's Tunis section also proposed a masterclass with Lotfi Achour, director of "Les enfants rouges," which was screened during a special session.
A Successful Edition Despite Challenges
Despite all the setbacks, the 38th edition of the Fifak took place successfully. Thanks to a team of young people who worked tirelessly to save the festival, the entire program went ahead as planned. Hopefully, the organizers will learn from this experience and prepare for the 39th edition well in advance to avoid similar difficulties.
