The decision to deny financial support for the 14th edition of the "Fes Cinematic Communication Days" festival has sparked significant reactions from the organizing committee. They argued that this decision does not reflect the progress and development the event has made since its inception. The funding committee linked its stance to observations regarding the nature of the proposed project and its organizational, artistic, and financial aspects.
This response from the festival management followed the ruling of the Cinematic Festivals Support Committee, which rejected the funding for the upcoming edition, despite the festival having successfully conducted 13 previous editions in the city of Fes. This has led the organizers to express their dissatisfaction with the decision, labeling it as "unjust."
The festival management believes that the experience gained over the years should have been a key factor in evaluating their proposal, especially since they have continued to hold their editions despite facing financial and logistical challenges. They noted that the festival has not merely been about screening films; it has also organized seminars, workshops, and meetings with industry professionals and prominent cinema figures, in addition to providing training and dialogue spaces for the youth of Fes.
However, the observations made by the support committee indicated that their decision was not merely based on the number of past editions, but rather on an assessment of the proposed project for the 14th edition and its alignment with various organizational, artistic, and financial standards.
The details of the proposal go back to a meeting held by the Cinematic Festivals Support Committee in July, during which a representative from the Young Talents Association for Cinema and Theater, as the organizing body of the event, presented and defended the project for the upcoming edition to the committee members.
Nevertheless, the committee clarified in its notification to the association that it was not convinced by the justifications provided during the hearing, considering that the proposal exhibited weaknesses in both organizational and artistic aspects, even accounting for the festival's previous editions.
The committee's comments did not stop at the artistic level; they called for a comprehensive development of the event, including improvements in programming quality and enhanced management mechanisms, along with greater efforts in seeking financial resources and partnerships that could contribute to the festival's sustainability.
Furthermore, the committee acknowledged the need for financial and logistical capabilities that correspond to the size and cultural significance of Fes, asserting that the nature and importance of the event demand a higher level of resources and organization.
In response, the management of the "Fes Cinematic Communication Days" emphasized that the lack of funding will not halt the festival's continuity, asserting their right to advocate for public support for the event and simultaneously calling for what they deem transparency and fairness in evaluating festival proposals.
Thus, it appears that the disagreement is not solely about the rejection of financial support, but also reflects a divergence in the evaluation of the festival. While the management emphasizes its historical track record and ongoing presence in the cultural landscape of Fes, the support committee places greater weight on the quality of the new project, its management mechanisms, programming, and its ability to diversify resources and ensure sustainability.
As reported by alyaoum24.com.
