The Moroccan feature film “Tattoo of the Wind” directed by Moroccan filmmaker Leila Tarek won the Golden Award at the 29th edition of the “Black Screens” Festival, one of the largest African cinema festivals, held from September 20 to 27 in the Cameroonian capital, Yaoundé.

The festival jury praised the film’s visual poetry and strong narrative structure. The award was received on behalf of the winning director by Ezzedine Gouriran, director of the African Cinema Festival in Khouribga.

Alongside 21 African countries, the festival featured a significant Moroccan presence across various categories, including the documentary “This is the Life of Djongo” by David Fidel and Aboubakar Ali (a Moroccan-Sudanese-Australian production), the film “Absence” by Faisal Halimi, and the short film “Battle Against Forgetting” (a Moroccan-Senegalese co-production).

Moroccan producer Sofia Agilas, director of the Film Festival in Al Hoceima, chaired the jury for the short films category. Directors Sharqi Amer and Ezzedine Gouriran served on the jury for the feature films category.

It is noteworthy that this year’s festival was inaugurated by Grégoire Owona, Cameroon’s Minister of Labor and Social Protection, who highlighted the role of cinema and culture in expressing African identity artistically and creatively, and the great importance Cameroon places on the seventh art.

The Moroccan Embassy in Yaoundé also praised the distinguished relations between Morocco and Cameroon, which celebrate six decades of friendship and cooperation this year, as well as the added value of cultural diplomacy in enhancing relations between countries and fostering cultural exchange.

The “Black Screens” Festival was founded in 1997 by Cameroonian filmmaker Bassek Ba Kobhio. It is a premier African cinema event offering a rich and diverse program that includes film screenings, training workshops, and an international symposium to celebrate the richness and diversity of African cinema.

This edition focused on the “Challenges and Stakes of Film Distribution,” with participation from specialists in the African and international film industry and enthusiasts alike. It was an opportunity to explore cooperation and co-production possibilities to support African cinema and develop the film industry across the continent, expanding distribution and reach globally.

It is worth noting that the “Black Screens” Festival has enjoyed continuous support from Royal Air Maroc as the official carrier for a decade, a valuable contribution to its development and prominence by facilitating the travel of filmmakers, actors, and international professionals, alongside supporting initiatives that enable African creative works to shine.