The 16th edition of the Khouribga African Film Festival, which is taking place at the cultural complex from 22 to 29 June, will see the participation of 15 African countries in the official competition of this cinematic event.

During this edition, which has chosen Mali as the guest of honour, the Khouribga African Film Festival Foundation (FFCAK) has decided to increase the value of the Ousmane Sembène Grand Prix from 70,000 to 100,000 DH.

The initial value of this prize, funded by the Office Chérifien des Phosphates (OCP), did not exceed 50,000 DH when the first edition was launched in 1977.

Furthermore, seven other prizes with values ranging from 25,000 to 70,000 DH will be contested by 17 films representing 15 African countries.

These include the jury prize for direction and screenplay, best actress and actor, and best supporting actor and actress. The novelty of this edition is the creation of the Don Quixote film appreciation prize, at the initiative of the National Federation of Film Clubs in Morocco.

Chaired by the Ivorian Roger Gnoan M'Bala, the jury includes the Gabonese filmmaker Paul Mouketa, the Beninese Dorothée Dognon, and the Moroccans Lahcen Zainoun, Hanane Fadili, and Sanae Alaoui.

The Khouribga Festival aims to consolidate its position as a privileged space for dialogue and sharing for the better promotion of African cinema by offering its festival-goers the opportunity to strengthen cultural ties between African peoples and to value their creative and cinematic potential.

With 35 years of existence, the Khouribga African Film Festival has now earned its stripes. It is a space for conviviality, reflection, and exchange between film professionals. From one edition to the next, the FCAK takes on a new face and succeeds in carving out a path in the African cinematic space.

Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Tanzania, Mozambique, Niger, Mali, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritius, Madagascar, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, in addition to Morocco, are the 15 countries that will take part in this edition, said the Festival's vice-president, Hassan Mazi.