Fez - The 16TH annual Arab World’s Short Films Festival, is being held in Azrou and Ifrane, Morocco, on August 28-31. The festival is one of the biggest events highlighting short films and celebrating significant figures in Moroccan cinema.
Under the theme “Man and Environment,” the association “Screen Club for Children and Youth” is organizing this year’s session which will honor two brilliant Moroccan actors, Tourya Jabran and Kamal Kamal.
The festival is an opportunity for participants to present their most valuable cinematic works. It is also a venue for young competitors to present their new short films focusing on the environment, which is the topic of this year’s festival.
Competitors vie for the “Larbi Doghmi” award for the environment. Larbi Doghmi (1931-1994) was one of the most famous and popular Moroccan actors preferred by local and international directors. The competition runs for two days on August, 29-30.
The jury includes director Ali Ess-afi, actress Amal Sakr, actor Ezz El-Arab Alkaghat, and artistic journalist Abdul Aziz Bena’abo.
Seven Arab countries will participate with 16 short films, including Morocco (8), Egypt (3), and one each from the following countries: Tunisia, Palestine, Jordan, Oman, Mauritania.
Sixteen short films produced between 2012 and 2014 are participating in the competition:
- “Sandalat Al Ard” Sandala which is an Israeli village, by Mansour Khadem Allah from Tunisia.
- “Halaouan wa ana” or “Halaouan and me” by l’mhammad Adil from Egypt.
- “Atlal” or Ruins by lhazem mahdi from Egypt.
- “Ramadi” or “Gray” by Hassan Nouaima from Egypt.
- “Taxi” by Loualid El afaorossi.
- “Khamssa” or “Five” by Ahmed ettarablossi from Jordan.
- “Mahmoud...” by Aydmou Oueld Lghali from Mouritania.
- “Hayfa Dagha” by Darin j. Salam from Palestine.
The following eight are Moroccan short films:
- “Arra’ia” or “the Herdswoman” by Fatima Aklaz.
- “Hala” or “Situation” by Morad Khalou.
- “Rihla ma’a Jaddi” or “ A trip with grandfather” by Mohammed Essamlali.
- “Bela’aman” or “anemone flower” by Faten Janan Mhamdi.
- “Fakiha Mamnou’a” or “the forbidden fruit” by Noura Azroual.
- “Allaouha” or “the slab” by Mostafa Fermati.
- “Hayat Ouarda” or “life is a flower” by Bouchra Karimi.
- “Chta” or “the rain” by Saad Kettani.
The last day of the festival will pay tribute to [the gallery of youth creativity, and will include an exposition of old cameras.