馃嚬馃嚦TunisiaNorth Africa
Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania joins Venice Film Festival 2026 official jury
via Business News1 min read
Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania has been appointed as a member of the international jury for the official competition of the 83rd Venice Film Festival, scheduled from September 2 to 12, 2026. The jury will be chaired by American actress and director Maggie Gyllenhaal and will include prominent figures from global cinema. Alongside Kaouther Ben Hania, the jury will feature Hong Kong director and producer Johnnie To, French filmmaker Xavier Giannoli, Afghan director Shahrbanoo Sadat, British composer and artist Daniel Blumberg, and Italian professor of film studies Francesco Casetti. This appointment highlights the growing recognition of Tunisian, African, and Arab cinema on the international stage. Ben Hania's participation follows her previous success at the Venice Film Festival, where her feature film "The Voice of Hind Rajab" won the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize. This distinction acknowledges the quality of her cinematic work and her contribution to promoting cinema from the Global South on major international platforms.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Business News.
On Monday, June 22, 2026, a historic building over a century old in B茅ja, Tunisia, was demolished due to public safety concerns, as it posed a significant collapse risk. This demolition, which residents witnessed, has sparked questions about institutional inaction regarding heritage preservation. The building, once an architectural landmark, had been deteriorating for decades despite repeated warnings from residents and local observers. Calls for its restoration or consolidation went unanswered by property owners, local authorities, and national heritage institutions, leading to irreversible degradation. This incident exemplifies the persistent failures in Tunisia's heritage governance, characterized by administrative complexities, lack of coordination, and insufficient resources, particularly from the National Heritage Institute. Municipal and regional authorities are also implicated, with local heritage management suffering from fragmented responsibilities and a lack of integrated vision. This pattern of neglect, where historic buildings become dangerous and are subsequently demolished, is recurring across several Tunisian cities. The article suggests this reflects a broader systemic failure in public action, where the state acts reactively rather than proactively. The demolition of the "Ennajma" building is seen as a symptom of administrative dysfunction, marked by fragmented responsibilities, poor inter-institutional coordination, and a lack of continuity in public decisi
Must ReadThe Council of the League of Arab States unanimously approved the appointment of Nabil Fahmy as the organization's Secretary-General during a meeting of Arab foreign ministers held on Monday, June 22, 2026, in Amman. This information comes from the Arab League press office. Nabil Fahmy, a former Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs and seasoned diplomat, succeeds Ahmed Aboul Gheit. His five-year term will begin in July 2026. His nomination was endorsed by consensus at the ministerial meeting in Amman, confirming member states' support for his candidacy. Starting July 1, 2026, his mission will include coordinating common Arab action and monitoring key regional issues on the Arab League's agenda.
The Committee on External Relations, International Cooperation, Affairs of Tunisians Abroad, and Migration continued its review of the proposed bill to establish a National Council for Tunisians Residing Abroad on Monday, June 22, 2026. The committee heard from the president of the National Council of the Order of Physicians and the dean of Tunisian engineers. The discussions focused on strengthening ties between the state and Tunisian professionals abroad, leveraging their expertise for national development, and addressing brain drain. The committee president, Riadh Jaidane, stated the initiative aims to improve communication with the diaspora, address their concerns, and enhance their contribution to development projects. The dean of Tunisian engineers praised the initiative as a significant step to strengthen ties and increase contributions to economic, scientific, and social development. He proposed direct representation for engineers within the council through the Order of Tunisian Engineers, the creation of a permanent commission for engineering and technology skills, and a national digital platform to connect with Tunisian professionals abroad. He noted that Tunisian engineers abroad hold key positions in strategic sectors like energy, infrastructure, industry, aeronautics, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and renewable energies. He emphasized that emigration can be a strategic asset if there is a legal and institutional framework to involve these profe