The third edition of the Festival international du film de Tunis (International Film Festival of Tunis, or FIFT) was recently held in the Tunisian capital and was dedicated to women in film. In addition to highlighting the work of female directors and producers, as well as some of the world's most talented actresses, the event was dedicated to Ms. Leila Ben Ali, president of the Organisation de la femme arabe (Organisation of Arab Women).
The festival, which took place from September 24th -27th, presented about 25 films from around 14 different countries. Aside from the focus on film's female talents, another of the festival's stated goals was to create an international cultural exchange while emphasising Tunisia's prowess in the cultural arena - at least these are the aspirations of the event's founder and director, Nicolas Brochet.
The FIFT opened with Dunya & Desie, a film by the Dutch director Dana Nechushtan. True to Brochet's aims, the film explores the relationship between two young girls, one Dutch and one of Arab origin, and their navigation of life's tribulations as they grow into adulthood.
Submissions from local talent included films by Karin Albou and Raja Amari. Albou's film, Le chant des mariées, tells the story of the friendship between two women, one Muslim and one Jewish, against the backdrop of the Nazi occupation of Tunisia. In La Berceuse Amari shows the confrontation between three women and a couple who must live together under one roof.
Prize for Best Film went to two entries: Tengri: Blue Heavens by Marie-Jaoul de Poncheville (France/Germany) and Heiran by Iranian director Shalizeh Arefpour.
The Jury Prize, awarded by a panel of well-known Tunisian actresses, went to the film Stella by the French director Sylvie Verhedyde.
You can find a programme for the festival here.
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