The screenplay competition, organised as part of the 11th edition of the International Trans-Saharan Film Festival of Zagora (20-25 October), has just been launched, indicates a press release from the organisers on Monday.

The competition is open to screenwriters with a project lasting 5 to 25 minutes, which deals with a theme related to the desert and its universes or which is supposed to address the people of the desert by focusing on themes such as water, the palm grove, oasis agriculture, customs and lifestyle, specifies the same source.

The choice of candidates will be made both on the basis of the progress of the screenplays or synopses presented, continues the press release, noting that the deadline for sending projects has been set for 30 September. Projects must be sent via email to the address zagorafilm@gmail.com. Since the beginning of this competition, the Zagora Association for the Trans-Saharan Film, organiser of the festival, has been in charge of producing a film based on one of the winning screenplays.

Thus, it has been possible so far to produce the short film "Ayoub's Sandals", written by Mohamed Aït Larbi and directed by Abdelouahed Mjahed, which won the UNDP prize.

It is also the case for "Sand Statuette", written by Houssin Chani and directed by Aziz Khouader, which won two prizes: best screenplay at the Sidi Slimane Short Film Festival and the second for best direction at the Arab World Short Film Festival.