Congo's 'À quand l'Afrique' Triumphs at Dakhla International Film Festival

The Dakhla International Film Festival drew to a close on Friday evening, marking the culmination of its 12th edition with a celebration of cinematic excellence. Initiated by the Association for Cultural and Artistic Animation in the Southern Provinces, the festival proved to be a resounding success, showcasing a diverse array of films from around the globe and honoring remarkable artistic achievements.

One of the highly anticipated moments of the closing ceremony was the announcement of the prestigious Grand Prix de Dakhla for feature-length films. This coveted award was bestowed upon À quand l'Afrique (When Will Africa Rise?), a captivating cinematic masterpiece directed by David-Pierre Fila from the Republic of Congo.

The Jury Prize of the Dakhla International Film Festival was awarded to the Sudanese film Goodbye Julia, helmed by the talented director Mohammed Kordofani. This recognition further solidified the festival's commitment to celebrating exceptional storytelling from across the African continent and beyond.

In the realm of acting, the festival acknowledged remarkable performances with the Best Actress award, shared by Siran Riak and Eiman Youssef for their compelling roles in "Goodbye Julia." The Best Actor accolade was bestowed upon the Moroccan talent Adil Aba Tourab, who captivated audiences with his portrayal in the film "Verre de l'amitié" (Glass of Friendship).

The short film category also witnessed a diverse array of winners, with the Best Screenplay award going to "Legacy" by Hussein Hijazi from Lebanon. The Best Direction honor was proudly claimed by Al-Banjeri, a masterful work by Moosa Nasser Al-Kindi from the Sultanate of Oman. The Jury Prize for short films was awarded to Envoyée de Dieu (God's Envoy) by Amina Mamani from Niger.

In a pioneering initiative, the festival introduced the Dakhla Project, a platform dedicated to supporting film projects of all genres, be they fiction or documentary. Three exceptional projects were recognized in this category, with the first prize awarded to Almada Ndiaye from Senegal for "La dernière Reine Walo" (The Last Queen of Walo). The second prize went to Kenza Tazi from Morocco for her project "Soulima," while the third prize was claimed by Mohamed Ali Essaghraoui, also from Morocco, for "Headleas."

During the closing ceremony, the festival's director, Zine El Abidine Charafeddine, emphasized the success of this edition as a testament to teamwork and the enthusiastic presence of Dakhla's audience. He highlighted the festival's goal of quenching the thirst for cinema in the region and its ambition to establish Dakhla as a destination for filmmakers from around the world, fostering a dynamic film production scene and bringing the art of cinema closer to the youth.

Charafeddine also revealed that the youth of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region had the opportunity to participate in workshops focused on various aspects of filmmaking, guided by industry specialists and professionals.

A heartwarming tribute was paid to four esteemed actresses from the southern regions of Morocco – Fatma El Ghalia Charradi, Mayala Bouaamoud, Oulaya Touir, and Fadila El Hamel – in recognition of their remarkable contributions and artistic careers on stage, television, and in cinema.

Complementing the film screenings, the festival hosted a series of colloquiums, debates, workshops, and training sessions, further enriching the cultural experience. Additionally, the latest national film productions were showcased, providing a platform for Moroccan cinema to shine on an international stage.

As the curtain falls on another successful edition of the Dakhla International Film Festival, it leaves an indelible mark on the cultural landscape, fostering artistic exchange, celebrating cinematic excellence, and nurturing the next generation of filmmakers in Morocco and beyond.