Batna Cinémathèque: Creation of a Children's Film Club

The Cinémathèque de Batna, formerly known as the Aurès cinema hall, has initiated a groundbreaking program in Algerian cinema: the creation of a ciné-club specifically for children.

Saber Bouzid, the director of the Cinémathèque, announced the initiative, which is designed for children aged 8 to 14. He explained that the club was established in response to the significant success and enthusiastic participation observed during film screenings for children, which often led to lively debates.

The primary goal of the ciné-club is to move beyond passive film viewing. Bouzid stated that the program aims to enable children to "not just watch films, but interact with them and offer critiques." This approach is intended to cultivate their artistic sensibilities by teaching them the fundamentals of visual language and empowering them to express their opinions under the guidance of specialists.

To achieve this, the children's ciné-club will not solely focus on film screenings. It will also organize roundtables and interactive workshops following each session. These activities will delve into the film's narrative, characters, and the values conveyed, encouraging a deeper understanding and critical engagement with the content.

This initiative builds upon the success of a previously established ciné-club for adults at the Cinémathèque de Batna, which garnered considerable enthusiasm from art film enthusiasts. The Cinémathèque Aurès, originally built in the early 1960s and reopened in 2015 after renovations, continues to attract a remarkable number of cinephiles throughout the year.