Baghdad: The second edition of the Baghdad Film Festival is set to commence on September 15, marking its return with a renewed artistic vision that aligns with contemporary cinematic developments in the Arab world. Festival Director Hikmat Al Baydani announced in a statement that the seven-day event will showcase a diverse range of Arab cinematic contributions from countries including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Tunisia, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and Morocco.
According to Qatar News Agency, the festival will feature various categories of films, including feature-length and short narratives, documentaries, and animated films. A unique aspect of this year’s edition is the selection of Tunisia as the festival’s guest of honor, aimed at showcasing its cinematic achievements through both the films being presented and the events accompanying the festival.
Al Baydani emphasized that the festival will extend beyond film screenings, offering training and development workshops for Iraqi filmmakers. These workshops will be conducted by notable Arab stars and filmmakers, with the objective of nurturing young talents and enhancing their artistic and directorial skills.
The festival will host four main competitions, featuring 16 films in the feature film category, 25 films in the short film category, 20 films in the feature and short documentary category, and 10 films in the animation category. The presence of prominent Arab art stars is expected to add an artistic dimension to the festival’s activities.
This edition of the festival aspires to establish Baghdad as a hub for Arab and international cinematic exchange, providing a platform to exhibit creative endeavors and highlight Iraq’s cultural and civilizational heritage.