🇹🇳TunisiaNorth Africa
Tunisian cinema sector faces disruption due to centralized authorization process under Minister Srarfi
via Business News2 min read
The Tunisian cinema sector is experiencing significant delays in obtaining filming authorizations, leading to a standstill in production. Professionals attribute this issue to the centralization of signature authority within the cabinet of Amina Srarfi, the Minister of Cultural Affairs. The Independent Union of Directors and Producers SIRP issued a statement on Monday, April 20, 2026, condemning what it describes as an unjustified disruption to the authorization service. The SIRP states that these authorizations were previously granted within reasonable timeframes by the competent administration, following established procedures. The union expresses serious concerns that this situation will hinder audiovisual and cinematic activity, particularly when responsiveness and administrative simplification are crucial for industry operators. According to the SIRP, filming authorizations are now being sent to Minister Srarfi's cabinet for signature, a process deemed unusual that extends processing times. This new administrative arrangement has resulted in delays, prejudice to applicants, and disruption of ongoing projects. Professionals emphasize that authorization timelines are critical for planning shoots, mobilizing teams, reserving equipment, and coordinating locations. The SIRP argues that this approach contradicts administrative modernization principles and anti-bureaucracy objectives. The union calls on authorities to urgently restore the normal functioning of the service, allo
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The Ennahdha movement on Thursday, June 4, 2026, sought to quell the controversy sparked by statements made by former MP Bechr Chebbi regarding the military institution. Chebbi's remarks, made on May 30 during a rally in Paris supporting prisoners of conscience, were widely circulated on social media and reignited debates about the military's role in Tunisian politics. Ennahdha issued a statement clarifying that its official positions are only expressed through its official texts, communiqués, and authorized spokespersons, indicating that Chebbi's comments were strictly personal and do not reflect the movement's stance. This clarification follows a strongly worded communiqué from the Ministry of National Defense two weeks prior, which denounced attempts to involve the military in political disputes. The Ministry emphasized the Tunisian army's republican nature, its discipline, neutrality, and detachment from partisan calculations, warning against efforts to implicate the army and its leaders in political tensions. Ennahdha reaffirmed its commitment to the army's role in defending national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and citizen security, stressing the importance of preserving the institution from political conflicts. The party also cautioned against any attempts to use the military to undermine freedoms or challenge the foundations of the civil state and democratic system. The communiqué appears to be a political repositioning effort by Ennahdha to address accusations
Must ReadThe Assembly of the Representatives of the People ARP will examine several requests to lift parliamentary immunity for deputies on June 23, 2026. This decision was made on Thursday, June 4, during a meeting of the Assembly's bureau, chaired by Ibrahim Bouderbala. The session will be held behind closed doors, in accordance with procedures for parliamentary immunity. Affected deputies will be able to present their observations before the Assembly decides on the requests from judicial authorities. The Parliament's bureau did not specify the number of deputies targeted or the nature of the cases. According to Business News, several requests are awaiting review, some of which have been with the Assembly for months. The June 23 session occurs in a sensitive political context, with executive-aligned voices advocating for swift processing of immunity requests. Each new judicial procedure involving an elected official is welcomed by some government supporters, who see it as a fight against impunity. Sources indicate increasing pressure for immediate review of pending cases, placing the Assembly in a delicate position: it must avoid appearing to protect deputies while also not seeming to yield to executive demands. This contrasts with previous legislatures, where similar requests often remained unresolved for extended periods, drawing criticism that parliamentary immunity was used to avoid prosecution. Beyond the legal aspect, the issue highlights a political power dynamic involving ju
Less than two weeks after his release from prison, Member of Parliament Ahmed Saïdani resumed his parliamentary activities. He was seen on Thursday, June 4, at a meeting of the Bureau of the Assembly of People's Representatives ARP, chaired by Brahim Bouderbala. Photographs published by Parliament show Ahmed Saïdani seated alongside MP Mokhtar Aifaoui, a bureau member responsible for information and communication, marking his first official appearance within the institution since his release. His presence is significant given that the MP had been at the center of judicial news in recent months. His incarceration had provoked numerous reactions in political and parliamentary circles before he regained his freedom at the end of May. While the bureau meeting primarily focused on examining legislative proposals, organizing parliamentary work, and various issues related to the Assembly's activities, Saïdani's return to the Bardo premises particularly drew attention. With this reappearance, the MP seems to be gradually resuming his role within the ARP, after several cases concerning him fueled public debate during his absence. His participation in this meeting constitutes a first signal of his return to parliamentary activity following a judicial sequence that had interrupted the exercise of his mandate.
The 17th edition of the Mustapha Azouz Arab Children's Literature Prize and the Arab Children's Literature Forum will take place on Friday, June 12 and Saturday, June 13, 2026, at the City of Culture in Tunis. Organized by the Children's Literature Forum in partnership with Arab Tunisian Bank ATB, this edition will gather writers, researchers, critics, and specialists from several countries to discuss narrative structures in fictional literature for Arab children. The launch of this edition was announced on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at a press conference held at ATB headquarters, attended by the bank's CEO, Riadh Hajjej, and the president of the Children's Literature Forum, Mohamed Aït Mihoub. Mohamed Aït Mihoub stated that the competition received 130 entries in the main category and 17 in the children and youth category, with participants from across the Arab world, as well as Mali and a Lebanese author residing in Mexico. Prizes include 12,000 dinars for first place, 8,000 dinars for second, and 5,000 dinars for third, along with three encouragement prizes of 1,000 dinars each for young authors. The award ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, June 13, 2026, at the City of Culture, following two days of literary creation and academic reflection. The event will also feature a tribute to Cherifa Ben Ayed. The Arab Children's Literature Forum will focus on "Narrative structures in fictional literature for Arab children." Sessions will be held at the Tahar Cheriaa hall of the City