Algerian Radio
The 12th edition of the Algiers International Film Festival (AIFF) concluded on Wednesday evening in Algiers with awards for the best cinematic films across the official competition categories. The ceremony also honored dedicated creative talents and promising newcomers.
The closing ceremony was held at the Algerian National Theater (TNA) Mahieddine-Bachtarzi, attended by the Minister, Wali of the Algiers wilaya, Mr. Mohamed Abdenour Rabehi; the Head of the Ministerial Cabinet of the Ministry of Culture and Arts, Mr. Mohamed Sidi Moussa; the Secretary-General of the Ministry, Mr. Sid Ali Sebaa; the President of the National Independent Regulatory Authority for Audiovisual Communication (ANIRA), Amar Bendjedda; and the Ambassador of Cuba to Algeria, Mr. Hector Igarza Cabrera. Cuba was the guest of honor. The event also saw the attendance of cultural sector officials and artists.
In a speech delivered on her behalf by Secretary-General Mr. Sid Ali Sebaa, the Minister of Culture and Arts, Ms. Malika Bendouda, affirmed that "the AIFF is intended to be a strategic space that reflects the Algerian state's vision to make culture an essential lever for national development and a fundamental pillar of our cultural diplomacy." She added that the organization of this 12th edition confirms that cinema "beyond being a tool of influence and awareness-raising, embodies the dreams and aspirations of nations."
Furthermore, she emphasized that Algeria, through its cultural institutions, "continues to strengthen its regional and international cultural presence and consolidate its position as a locomotive for cultural action in the region." She commended Cuba's participation as the guest of honor, which, she stated, "bears witness to the profound historical relations uniting the two countries as well as the common values that bind us... solidarity, freedom, respect for human beings, and the preservation of memory."
Additionally, the Feature Film jury, chaired by Algerian director Karim Traïdia, awarded the Grand Prize for Best Fiction Film to the Algerian film "Roqya" by director Yanis Koussim. The Jury Prize was jointly awarded to the Somali film "The Village Next to Paradise" by director Mo Harawe and the Palestinian film "Passing Dreams" by director Rashid Masharawi.
In the Documentary category, the jury chaired by German filmmaker Monika Maurer awarded the Grand Prize for Best Documentary to the Algerian film "Annab" by director Abdallah Kada. Its Special Prize went to the Brazilian film "No Man Is Born to Be Stepped On" by directors Narimane Baba Aïssa and Lucas Roxo, not forgetting a Special Mention for the film "Hayou... The Rebel Singer Meriem El-Hassan and the Struggle of Western Sahara" from the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.
The film "The Black Scarf" by Iranian director Ali Reza Shah Hosseini was awarded by the Short Film jury, chaired by Lebanese director Houda Ibrahim, which also awarded a Special Mention to the Algerian film "Night Watchers" by director Nina Khada. Meanwhile, the Jury Prize was won by the Algerian film "The Walk of Crow" by director Khaled Bentebal.
The closing ceremony also featured the presentation of other awards, including the "Technical Innovation" prize awarded by a technical jury chaired by director and editor Rachid Benallal. This jury selected a series of fiction, short, and documentary films distinguished by their cutting-edge techniques in image, sound, editing, and the use of modern technologies. The winners were "Night Watchers" by Nina Khada, " The Victim Zero" by Amine Bentameur, "Unknown" by Ahmed Zitouni, "Back To Town" by Djamel Lakehal, and "El-Saguia" by Naoufel Klach.
The Audience Award went to the short documentary "The Black Panthers of Algeria" by director Mohamed Amine Benloulou, the documentary "Deadly Business" by director El Kheyer Zidani, and the feature film "Hadda" by Ahmed Riad.
Tribute was also paid to the Republic of Cuba, the 2025 guest of honor, represented by its ambassador, Hector Igarza Cabrera, who stated that this edition of the AIFF, in which his country participated, has been "a strong space for strengthening and bringing closer the cultures of the two peoples, united by their shared centuries-old history."
The festival was also an occasion to honor a constellation of artistic figures, such as Palestinian director and producer Hanna Atallah, translator and activist Elaine Mokhtefi, German director Monika Maurer, and Algerian screenwriter Tewfik Farès.
The closing was marked by the screening of the film "The Voice of Hind Rajab" by Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania. Inspired by real events and audio recordings, the 98-minute film recounts the story of Hind Rajab, a Palestinian child, and the efforts of rescue teams to save her during the Gaza siege.
The 12th edition of the festival opened on December 4, screening 100 films in official competition and out of competition, representing 28 countries, including Algeria, with Cuba as the guest of honor.
