President’s Address: Reviving Annaba’s Cinematic Legacy

“Annaba Lives Cinema with a New Vision.” This is more than just a slogan—it’s a testament to the challenge of reviving the spirit of one of the most significant film festivals that once shaped the “Jewel of the East” in the 1980s. The Annaba Mediterranean Film Festival, born in 1986, had an exceptional first edition, drawing over 120,000 attendees to the grand cinemas for which Annaba was famous, such as the “African Cinema Hall” and “Al-Manar.” Let’s not forget the regional theater that marked the opening of each edition.

The journey of the Annaba Festival has had its highs and lows, with periods of success, challenges, and interruptions. After a decade-long hiatus, the festival returned, only to disappear again. Today, it is back with renewed energy, eager to fulfill the aspirations of a new generation.

For me, Annaba holds a special place. It’s the Jewel of the East, where childhood dreams and youthful aspirations converged. It was in Annaba that I took my first steps into a cinema hall and witnessed my first film—a memory etched in my mind since childhood. There is something magical about the cinema screen, with its stories, colors, and music. When an audience gathers to share emotions, laughing and crying at the same scenes, there’s a unique sense of connection that makes humanity feel tangible.

Today, the Annaba Festival serves as a bridge between generations. We have a rich history, graced by Oscars and Golden Palms. Now, it’s time to look ahead and create an even brighter future. Why shouldn’t our present and future be just as remarkable?