(Article in French)
Jeune Afrique (July 17, 2013) — Its phosphate mines are the world’s largest … But the Moroccan city of Khouribga is also known for its festival of African cinema.
The sixteenth edition of the African Film Festival of Khouribga, held on June 22nd through the 29th, was an opportunity for moviegoers all over the continent to come together and take stock of the latest local productions. Founded in 1977 by a group of cinema enthusiasts, this great rout, now annual, is chaired by Noureddine Saïl. Saïl, a former professor of philosophy, was a student at Moulay Youssef High School alongside Abdelilah Benkirane, the current head of government. He was also first president of the National Federation of Film Societies of Morocco in 1973 and Director of TVM programs in 1984 and Canal + Horizons in 1990, before becoming CEO of 2M in 2000 and director of the Moroccan Cinematographic Centre (CCM) since 2003.
Despite its popularity, the Khouribga festival cannot compete with the Pan-African Festival of Cinema and Television of Ouagadougou (FESPACO). “In reality, there are only two specialized events on Africa across the continent. The Egyptian festivals are finally interested in, albeit in a belated admission, their African consciousness. And the Carthage Film Festival is not strictly dedicated to the African continent” Sail noted. Additionally, FESPACO is supported by the Burkinabe government and international funding, whereas Khouribga relies on an important partner in Youssoufia Phosphates (OCP).
“Previously, Khouribga was the world capital of phosphates and … a cultural desert,” recalls Noureddine Saïl. In this industrial town shaped by mining, the founders wanted to create a space for meetings and exchanges. “This was part of an aesthetic, political, and militant path,” adds Sail. The first few Khouribga festivals boasted real moviegoers like Guy Hennebelle from the magazine Cinémaction, as well as Serge Daney and Serge Toubiana of Cahiers du cinema.
