Helmi Dridi crowned best actor at the Annaba Festival
Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- Tunisian actor Helmi Dridi won the best actor award at the 6th Annaba Mediterranean Film Festival (AMFF) for his role in "13 Round."
- The Egyptian film "Aisha Can't Fly Away" and short film "The last of the miracles" shared the festival's top prize, the Golden Gazelle.
- The festival, held from April 24-30, 2026, featured a significant Tunisian presence on its juries.
The Annaba Mediterranean Film Festival (AMFF) has concluded its sixth edition, celebrating cinematic achievements from across the Mediterranean. La Presse reports that the Tunisian actor Helmi Dridi has been honored with the Best Actor award for his compelling performance in Mohamed-Ali Nahdi's film "13 Round." This recognition highlights Dridi's talent and brings international attention to Tunisian cinema.
"13 Round," a drama exploring modern resilience and struggles, has already garnered acclaim at various international festivals, including Cairo, Shiraz, and Tallinn. Its selection and awards underscore the growing international reach of Tunisian film productions. The film, a co-production involving Tunisia, Cyprus, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, also benefits from the support of Tunisia's National Centre for Cinema and Image (CNCI).
The festival itself saw a strong Tunisian contingent, with prominent figures like director Ibrahim Letaรฏef and actress Souhir Ben Amara serving on the fiction feature film jury. This participation not only showcases Tunisian expertise in filmmaking but also reinforces the country's active role in fostering regional cinematic dialogue. La Presse's coverage emphasizes these successes, reflecting a sense of national pride in the achievements of its artists and the burgeoning strength of its film industry on the international stage.
13 Round is the second feature film by Mohamed-Ali Nahdi, after four short films.
Originally published by La Presse in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.