Mokhtar Ladjimi named director of the 37th Carthage Film Days

The Tunisian Ministry of Cultural Affairs has announced the appointment of filmmaker Mokhtar Ladjimi as the director of the 37th edition of the Carthage Film Days (JCC). The festival is scheduled to take place from December 12 to 19, 2026, succeeding Tarek Ben Chaâbane in the role.

Mokhtar Ladjimi is a significant figure in Tunisian cinema, known as a director, screenwriter, and producer. He is also the founding president of the International Film Festival in Yasmine Hammamet. Born in Monastir in 1957, Ladjimi graduated from the prestigious Institut des hautes études cinématographiques (IDHEC) in Paris.

Ladjimi began his film career at the age of 16, directing his first short film, "La Voyante," in 1975. His work spans a diverse range, from documentaries exploring Tunisian heritage to fiction films deeply rooted in the country's history and society. Notable works include the 1997 documentary "Le cinéma colonial" and his first feature film, "Noce d’été" (Bab el Arch), released in 2004.

His career started with the Tunisian Federation of Amateur Filmmakers. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, he directed numerous short and medium-length films, such as "Balle de sang," "Satellite 7," "La Sentinelle," and "le chasseur." He also produced a series of documentaries, including "La Nuit du henné," "L’Orient des cafés," and "Mille et une danses orientales," as well as feature films like "Dicta Shot" in 2015.