The Jean Rouch International Film Festival, one of Europe’s leading events for documentary films focusing on the human and social sciences, will be held for the first time in Tunis, in an off-site edition scheduled for February 22-25, 2024.

This off-site event in Tunis will be organised by the Institut de recherche sur le Maghreb contemporain (IRMC), the Tunisian Cinémathèque and the Association Sentiers, with the support of the Comité du Film Ethnographique of the Jean Rouch International Film Festival.

The main aim of organising this off-site event in Tunis is to promote ethnographic and documentary cinema and the link between art and the humanities in Tunisia, says the IRMC.

The line-up includes screenings and debates on seven selected documentary films, workshops for students of cinema, visual anthropology and social sciences, and a Masterclass open to the public and attended by film-makers.

“As part of a more structured approach, the festival organisers in Paris and the team in Tunisia hope to make
this partnership a lasting one, with the aim of making it a not-to-be-missed film festival in Tunisia and anchoring this event in the cultural landscape of the city of Tunis,” adds the same source.

The Festival’s aim is to showcase the most innovative and relevant trends in ethnographic filmmaking, visual anthropology and to promote dialogue between cultures.

The Festival selects films that document and explore human societies and cultures in their many facets, such as social and cultural diversity, continuity and change, cultural transmission, relationship to the environment.

The IRMC released the list of the 7 selected films, pending publication of the detailed programme. Admission to all sessions and events is free.

Here is the list of the 7 selected films:

Tonratun, the story of Armenia told by women by Inna Mkhitaryan (Armenia, 2022, 84′)

Light upon Light by Christian Suhr (Egypt, Denmark 2022, 78′)

Las y los minuscules by Khristine Gillard (Belgium, 2021, 150′)

Transfariana by Joris Lachaise (Fr
ance, Colombia, 2022, 153′)

Pastorale électrique by Ivan Boccara (Morocco, 2017, 93′)

Maman colonelle by Dieudonné Hamadi (Democratic Republic of Congo, 2016, 72′)

Babylone by Ismaël and Youssef Chebbi, Ala Eddine Slim (Tunisia, 2012, 121′).

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

The South African delegation to the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting has returned back to SA, having driven home the message that the country remains a “top destination for growth and investment’.

This is according to a media statement released by National Treasury on Monday.

Team South Africa’s delegation was led by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana and comprised the Ministers of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ebrahim Patel; Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande; Communications and Digital Technologies Mondli Gungubele, and Health, Dr Joe Phaahla.

Godongwana said the message to investors, civil society, businesses and governments is that despite the many challenges it faces, South Africa is making progress.

‘We took the opportunity of the WEF Davos gathering to remind our partners around the world that South Africa has made tremendous progress in the past 30 years since we achieved democracy.

‘Yes, we face a number of obstacles to achieving policy that balances fiscal s
ustainability, growth-accelerating reforms, and targeted spending on social services and infrastructure. However, we are forging ahead and making good progress,’ he said.

According to National Treasury, the annual meeting – held last week in Davos, Switzerland – offered an opportunity for South Africa to engage world leaders on a number of issues.

‘[It] offered South Africa’s policymakers a genuine and rare opportunity to speak directly with a cross spectrum of stakeholders in global affairs, exchanging views on how to weather the rise in geopolitical and economic tensions that are shaping today’s world.

‘Climate, technology, trade and multilateral cooperation were high on the agenda, as was South Africa’s upcoming presidency of the G20 in 2025.

‘In addition to its participation in the G20, the country is playing a key part in the expansion of the BRICS group, as well as the deepening of intercontinental economic integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area,’ the department said.

Source:
South African Government News Agency