# Carthage Film Festival

The Carthage Film Festival (JCC), a festival of Arab and African cinema founded in Tunis in 1966, holds its 37th edition from 12 to 19 December 2026, marking its sixtieth anniversary. Four official competitions award the Tanit prizes, including the Tanit d'or. The film programme will be published before opening night.

Source : https://sabaro-travel.com/en/events/journees-cinematographiques-carthage-2026/

The Carthage Film Festival (JCC, Journées cinématographiques de Carthage) is Tunis's major film festival, devoted to Arab and African cinema. The 37th edition runs from Saturday 12 to Saturday 19 December 2026 and marks sixty years since the festival was founded in 1966. The Ministry of Cultural Affairs has appointed Tunisian director Mokhtar Laâjimi to lead it. The film selection will be announced before opening night.

## Sixty years of cinema from the South

The festival was conceived by critic and filmmaker Tahar Cheriaa and launched in 1966 by Chedli Klibi, then Minister of Culture. It was the first festival of its kind in the Arab world, set up to show the cinemas of Africa and the Arab world. Originally biennial, alternating with the Carthage Theatre Days, it became annual in 2014. Its opening and closing ceremonies are held at the Théâtre municipal de Tunis; some editions have also travelled to other Tunisian cities.

For the anniversary, a dedicated space will trace the festival's history and its role in Tunisian, Arab and African cinema. The visual identity of the 37th edition was unveiled in mid-October 2026.

## Competitions and the Tanit prizes

The JCC award the Tanit prizes, named after the goddess of Carthage: gold, silver and bronze. Four official competitions are open in 2026:

- fiction features;
- documentary features;
- short films;
- "Carthage Ciné-Promesse".

There is also the "Visions+" competition and a "World Cinema" section. In 2025, at the 36th edition from 13 to 20 December, the Tanit d'or went to the Egyptian film "The Stories" by Abu Bakr Shawky.

## Coming to Tunis for the JCC

**The audience.** The festival is aimed at film professionals, directors and producers, as well as film lovers; its programme brings together Tunisian, Arab, African and international productions.

**Weather.** In December, average highs are around 18°C in Tunis. It is sightseeing season: the medina, the Bardo Museum and Carthage, covered on our [Tunis and the Roman sites](/en/tunisia/tunis/) and [Carthage and Sidi Bou Said](/en/tunisia/carthage-sidi-bou-said/) pages.

**Time zone.** Tunisia is on UTC+1 all year round: in December, it is 1 hour ahead of London.

**Where to stay.** In the medina, a few minutes' walk from the centre: [Dar El Jeld](/en/hotels/dar-el-jeld/), [Palais Bayram](/en/hotels/palais-bayram/) or [Dar Ben Gacem](/en/hotels/dar-ben-gacem/). On the north coast, [Villa Didon](/en/hotels/villa-didon-carthage/) and [Maison Dedine](/en/hotels/maison-dedine/) are half an hour from the centre.

**Safety.** Traffic bans can affect central Tunis, and demonstrations take place on national dates, including 17 December. Foreign ministries do not all give the same advice. Your country's advice:

(Depends on the traveller's country: see the table on https://sabaro-travel.com/en/events/journees-cinematographiques-carthage-2026/)

Our [safety in Tunisia](/en/guides/securite-tunisie/) guide has the details.

A month earlier, from 21 to 28 November 2026, the [Carthage Theatre Days](/en/events/journees-theatrales-carthage-2026/) fill the city's stages.

## Frequently asked questions

### When is the 2026 Carthage Film Festival?

From 12 to 19 December 2026, in Tunis. It is the 37th edition, celebrating the festival's sixtieth anniversary.

### What is the Tanit d'or?

The highest award of the Carthage Film Festival, named after the Carthaginian goddess Tanit. It is awarded alongside a silver and a bronze Tanit.

### Is the 2026 programme out yet?

Not yet. Film submissions closed in September and October 2026, and the selection is announced before opening night.