Annaba Film Fest Sets 2025 Dates, Honors Spanish Cinema
Algerian event returns to autumn schedule with Mediterranean focus
The Annaba Festival for Mediterranean Film has officially announced the dates for its upcoming 5th edition, scheduled to take place from September 24 to 30, 2025, in the coastal city of Annaba, Algeria.
Spain Takes Center Stage
Spanish cinema will be the guest of honor for this year’s festival. This recognition aims to celebrate Spain’s rich cinematic history and to foster broader engagement with diverse Mediterranean film traditions, enhancing cultural exchange across the region.
This marks the festival’s return to an autumn schedule, following a four-year hiatus. Last year’s event showcased a robust lineup, featuring 75 films from 18 countries. These included feature-length narratives, shorts, and documentaries.
Past Successes and Accolades
Italy was honored as the guest country during the 4th edition, which also included a dedicated section for Palestinian cinema. The jury was presided over by acclaimed Turkish director **Nuri Bilge Ceylan**. The prestigious Golden Gazelle award for best film went to the Spanish production “Matria.”
The festival’s return to the fall season last year signifies a renewed commitment to promoting Mediterranean cinematic dialogue. In 2024, the global box office for international films (non-domestic) generated an estimated $8.1 billion, highlighting the growing audience for diverse cinematic voices (Statista, 2024).
