The opening ceremony of this artistic event, under the patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, was accompanied by hassani of music rhythms and dances and continued in a festive and friendly atmosphere. The organisers aim to make this film an annual appointment that would enrich the city’s cultural momentum.
The Laâyoune based Palais des congrès, where the ceremony took place, hosted many spectators who enthusiastically came to attend the launching of this event, which will continue until June 08.
In an address on this occasion, the Secretary of State to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Mr. Lakhrif Ahmed, welcomed the holding of this event in Laayoune, noting that "this meeting reflects the very essence of artistic and cultural values that tend to consolidate communication between companies in their cultural differences."
This meeting, said Lakhrif, is a forum for exchanging experiences and expertise between the various participants, provides a valuable opportunity for enthusiasts of the seventh art in the city of Laayoune to learn about the latest international productions in this area and will allow young artists access to film knowledge and enjoy specialized training in trades related to cinema.
He considered that "this first international film meeting is an important step towards the enrichment of serious and constructive debate and a promising framework for deeper reflection on ways of cooperation in all artistic fields among participating countries."
Mr. Lakhrif said that the southern provinces was experiencing major changes at all levels and experiencing a very dynamic economic, social and cultural life, such as to make it able to host greatest artistic and cultural events.
For his part, the Minister of Communication, government spokesman, Mr. Khalid Naciri, stressed that the first edition of international Film meeting represents a major event "that will strengthen the position of the city of Laayoune as a destination for culture and arts ".
In a speech read on his behalf by the regional delegate of the communication, Mr. Abdessalam Zerouali, M. Naciri commended the initiators of this event "for the efforts they have made to allow this event meet the comprehensive and integrated development facing the southern provinces, which are an integral part of the social democratic project led by His Majesty King Mohammed VI."
The minister stressed that the meeting "is of particular importance, since it adds a value to the Moroccan cinema and contributes to the enrichment of the movement of film festivals in our country, considered as a bridge of communication and exchange with other cultures in the world and radiation sources of culture and national identity ".
He said that his department which supports this meeting and any similar serious film project will pursue the development and promotion of Moroccan cinema by supporting national film production and adopting reforms related to improving the framework governing the film industry, in addition to strengthening the capacity of Morocco to attract international film productions, while ensuring a strong presence of national cinema at international meetings.
For his part, the secretary general of the Moroccan Cinematographic Center (CCM), Mr. Mustapha Stitou, noted the importance of this international film event held in Laayoune, stressing that the CCM has attached particular importance to the southern provinces through the organization in the provinces of some movie competitions.
He paid tribute to the organizers of this event which has "an international dimension, the goal being to provide the public with an opportunity to approach Moroccan and foreign stars and artists participating in this event."
Mr. Stitou focused on the role of this artistic event in disseminating the culture of image among the youth in the region through the organization of training workshops conferences and meetings with professionals.
"This meeting offers an opportunity for Moroccan and foreign producers to evaluate the region’s potential natural and historical tourist resources which could be used in realizing films in these provinces," he said.
The meeting director, Mr. Charafeddine Zinelaabidine welcomed the participation of a host of famous artists and actors in this event, which aims to strengthen communication between these artists and entrench a culture based on dialogue, openness and exchange of experiences.
The opening ceremony, which took place in the presence of the wali of the region of Laayoune-Boujdour-Sakia El-Hamra, M. M'hammed Dryef, elected officials and local actors, was marked by a tribute to the Moroccan artist, Mohamed Meftah, Egyptian artists Munif Sharif and Leila Eloui and director of the International Film Festival of Las Palmas, M. Claudio Utrera.
The honored artists expressed their joy of this act of recognition, highlighting the development known by the Moroccan cinema and Moroccan potentialities in this field.
A number of Moroccan, Egyptian, Syrian, Palestinian, Tunisian, Iranian, french, Spanish, Swiss and Mexican movies will be broadcast.
The programme of this event also provides for the holding of a seminar on "Arab cinema experiences" with the participation of a number of critics and artists, Moroccans and foreigners, projection of a series of films and cartoons for the benefit of children and training workshops on film for the youth.
Alongside this meeting, organized in partnership with the agency for the development and promotion of southern provinces, Ministry of Communication, Moroccan film centre, and several partners, a film caravan will make a tour in the cities of Tarfaya, Al-Mersa and Boucraa to project a series of movies.
Source: MAP
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