Celebrating Arab Cinema at the Oran Film Festival
The 12th Oran Arab Film Festival, held in Algeria from October 4 to 10, showcased an impressive array of 60 films from across the Arab world. The festival concluded with the announcement of award winners, highlighting the vibrant Arab cinema scene. The Saudi film “Night Delegate”, directed by Ali Al-Kalthami, took home the prestigious Golden Wahar award for best feature film, marking a significant achievement in the realm of Arab filmmaking.
In addition to “Night Delegate,” the Yemeni film “The Exhausted” by Amr Gamal won the Silver Wahar, while the Iraqi film “Baghdad Messi” by Suhaim Omar Khalifa secured the Bronze Wahar. The festival also recognized outstanding contributions in short films and documentaries, with the Tunisian film “Lini Africo” winning Best Short Narrative Film and the Syrian documentary “Chasing the Dazzling Light” winning Best Feature Documentary.
Spotlight on Palestinian Cinema
This year’s festival placed a strong emphasis on the Palestinian cause, featuring a special program that screened 22 films under the theme “From Zero Distance.” These films, created by filmmakers from Gaza, tell powerful stories of resistance against the Israeli occupation. The Algerian Minister of Culture reaffirmed Algeria's unwavering support for Palestine, underscoring the importance of cinema in portraying the struggles faced by the Palestinian people.
Among the notable Palestinian films presented were “Selfie” by Rima Mahmoud and “Everything is Fine” by Nidal Damo. The screenings were met with enthusiastic public support, with attendees chanting in solidarity with the Palestinian cause. Festival president Abdelkader Jeriou expressed his commitment to this important issue by donning a Palestinian shawl during the event.
Honoring Cinematic Talent
The festival also honored several influential figures in the film industry, including French director Costa-Gavras and Algerian director Mohamed Lakhdar-Hamina, who won the Palme d'Or at Cannes. The recognition of these artists highlights the festival's commitment to celebrating cinematic excellence and fostering cultural dialogue within the Arab world.
