AMAZIGH FILM festival U.S.A.
WELCOME
This 2010 article by UCLA African Studies Department is a good review of the Amazigh Film Festival which was founded in Los Angeles with the support of the Department of Cultural Affairs of the City of Los Angeles, of A.C.A.A. (Amazigh Cultural Association in America), the Amazigh Film Festival of Agadir, Morocco, and is today annually presented in Boston by A.A.N.O. (Amazigh American Network Organization).
ABOUT US
The mission of the Amazigh Film Festival is to promote and celebrate the North African Amazigh (Berber and Tuareg) culture by offering documentaries and films created by Amazigh artists, directors and producers , subtitled in English, to various anglophone audiences in America. Each year, a selection of the best productions from Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, the Canary Islands (Guanches), the Sahara Desert, Mali and Niger (Tuareg people) has been presented in Los Angeles, New York and Boston.
2022 -2024 Team:
Helene E. Hagan , Executive Director
Rachid Bouksim, Artistic Director
Zouhir Naghala, President, A.A.N.O
Zouhir Naghala, President A.A.N.O, Boston, USA
Click on image for bio
Rachid Bouksim has been instrumental in the selection of documentaries and films for the festival since 2010. He is one of the founders and directors of the Amazigh Film Festival of Agadir, Morocco and the first recipient of the Tazzla Institute Award which he holds in this 2010 L.A.A.F.F photo.
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TESTIMONIALS
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FROM AMAZIGH CULTURAL ASSOCIATION IN AMERICA (A.C.A.A.)
Dear Helene,
Congratulations on spearheading the first Amazigh film festival in the US.
As much as I regret not being present there at this even! I applaud you and Tazzla
for pulling this off. I share with you the joy and the hope that this event will become
the pioneer of a regular event that will flourish in this country.
I am happy that it is Tazzla and not someone else that is organizing this
for the simple reason that we know how deeply Tazzla cares about the Amazigh culture.
We thank you Helene for your efforts. We thank those who helped you,
and I promise to do my best to be on you side for the second edition,
because I am sure there will be many more festivals.
On behalf of ACAA, congratulations and our best wishes for a successful festival.
Aseggas Ifullkin
Yennayer Ameggaz - Happy New Year
Hsen Larbi President
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From Morocco:
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"The Issni N’ Ourgh Association, organiser of Issni N’ Ourgh
International Amazigh Film Festival In Agadir (FINIFA), have
wholeheartedly supported the Los Angeles Amazigh Film
Festival in the past, and recommend the 2012 program on
Morocco.
As both Festivals are dedicated to promote and support the
Amazigh culture of North Africa and Sahara, we look forward to
extend our partnership and to achieve our mutual objectives."
IN THE USA:
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Dear Ms. Helen Hagan,
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The Amazigh Film Festival last year in Los Angeles was a rare opportunity to learn about
and experience the rich and ancient culture of the Amazigh culture.
Your programming is a great compliment to the international culture of Los Angeles
and I command you for your commitment and research.
Best Wishes,
Yuval Ron
International record producer, world music artist, educator, recipient of NEA grants
and Oscar winning composer.
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From Aomar Benslimane, past president of A.C.A.A.
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January 2019 - The Los Angeles Amazigh Film Festival (LAAF) has made great progress. You deserve most of the credit for being the pioneer master mind behind the project. I was very proud and happy when I attended the 2009 edition that took place in LA as President of the Amazigh Cultural Association (ACAA)...... real products grow with time as we nurture them with great planning, expert advice, focus on selecting great and meaningful topics and of course great care to deliver products of excellence and quality in order to bring the real change and strong and positive impact in the promotion of the Berber history and culture. You have done well and I would like to thank you for your friendship and true dedication to preserving and promoting our Berber cultural inheritance. Happy New Year to you, your family and all the staff that has been helping you across the years. Take care of yourself. Aomar Benslimane.