TLDR: The fifth Annaba Mediterranean Film Festival has commenced in Algeria, showcasing 76 films from 20 countries. The event, running until September 30, features Spain as the guest of honor, Academy Award-winning jury presidents, and introduces a new award dedicated to Artificial Intelligence in cinema.
The vibrant coastal city of Annaba, Algeria, is currently hosting the fifth edition of its prestigious Mediterranean Film Festival, which officially launched on Wednesday evening, September 24, 2025. This year’s festival promises a rich cinematic experience, bringing together 76 films from 20 diverse countries across the Mediterranean region and beyond, all competing for various accolades until its conclusion on September 30.
Spain has been designated as the guest of honor for this edition, highlighting its significant contributions to Mediterranean cinema. Adding to the festival’s prestige, the official competitions will be overseen by juries presided over by three distinguished Academy Award winners, ensuring a high standard of evaluation for the participating films.
The festival’s competitive categories include highly coveted awards such as the Golden Gazelle for Best Feature Film, along with prizes for Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Screenplay. Short films and documentaries are also recognized, with the Ammar Askari Award for Best Short Documentary among them. In a groundbreaking move reflecting contemporary trends, the festival has, for the first time, introduced an award specifically dedicated to Artificial Intelligence in cinema, acknowledging the evolving landscape of filmmaking.
Mohammad Allal, the Commissioner of the Annaba Mediterranean Film Festival, emphasized during the opening ceremony that the extensive and varied selection of films, encompassing both official competitions and parallel screenings, is designed to foster cultural dialogue and cinematic exchange. The festival aims to be a significant platform for artistic expression and cross-cultural understanding within the Mediterranean basin.
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The opening night also paid tribute to several prominent figures in Mediterranean and international cinema. Algerian director Ghaouti Bendedouche, Spanish actress Pilar Bardem, and Egyptian actor Khaled Al-Nabawy were honored for their invaluable contributions to the art form. Participating countries in this year’s festival include, but are not limited to, Palestine, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Spain, Italy, Turkey, and Greece, underscoring the festival’s commitment to showcasing the rich tapestry of cinematic production from the Mediterranean region.
