70 th world congress of amateur cinema to open in Hammamet 350 filmmakers will take part in competition
Tunis , June 24, 2008 (TunisiaOnline)–The International Union of Amateur Cinema (UNICA), an NGO set up in 1931 and a member of the International Council of Cinema and Television which is part of UNESCO, is organizing jointly with the Tunisia ‘s Ministry of Culture and Heritage Preservation, and the Tunisian Federation of non-professional filmmakers, the 70 th Congress of amateur cinema.Tunisia which has already hosted the event in 1970, is the only Arab and African country to be a member of the prestigious organization.
During a press point recently held in Tunis , the organisers said that some 350 filmmakers from more than 35 countries will take part in the event, which will also comprise a film competition. They also stressed the Union ‘s main objectives which are concerned with making films and videos as instruments of international communication, as well as promoting cultural cooperation between nations.
This year’s edition will include the presence of 7 jury members, all made up of professional filmmakers such as Selma Baccar (Tunisia), Jef von Gompel (Belgium), Kees Tervoot (The Netherlands), Michael Gough(UK), Pavel Levski (Poland), Bengt Anderson (Sweden), and Hassen Dezvareh (Iran).
UNICA’s steering committee is chaired by Ridha Ben Halima, and composed of Mounira Menif and Adel Abid.
On the sidelines of the congress, the Jury will award the following prizes: The world Championship (winners will receive gold, silver and bronze medals), the world cup of the one minute film, and the UNICA competition for the under 25 years of age.
In a related event, the Hammamet International Centre will host from June 29 to July 4, 2008, youth workshops led by the Swiss filmmakers Filippo Lubiato and Claudia Progrin, as well as the Tunisian Bilal Bali.
Observers point out that by choosing Tunisia for their World Congress, the Union is acknowledging the freedom of expression and creation which modern Tunisia is currently witnessing.
It is thanks to the creativity and determination of the non- professional filmmakers of the 60′s and 70′s that Tunisian cinema gradually gained its credentials.
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