In a bold move to reclaim its lost cinematic prestige, Algeria, the only Arab nation ever to win an Academy Award, is launching an ambitious plan to revive its film industry. The strategy hinges on producing major historical films, like a state-backed epic on anti-colonial hero Emir Abdelkader, and building new production facilities to attract foreign filmmakers.
A Historical Reorganization for a Fading Industry
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune's government has initiated what his cultural affairs adviser, Faycal Metaoui, calls a "historical reorganization" of the domestic film sector. This comes decades after Algeria's last major international recognition. The country's Oscar win for Best Foreign Language Film was in 1970 for the political thriller "Z." Its "Chronicle of the Years of Fire" won the top prize at Cannes in 1975.
Since then, output has dwindled. Currently, the annual production of films—including shorts, features, and documentaries—barely reaches double figures. This starkly contrasts with neighbors like Egypt, the Arab world's long-standing film hub, and Tunisia, which has secured two Oscar nominations since 2020.
State-Backed Epics and Bureaucracy Busting
The centerpiece of Algeria's revival effort is a major biopic on Emir Abdelkader, the 19th-century resistance leader who fought French colonial forces. Metaoui describes him as "the founder of the modern Algerian state — a huge symbol." The government is fully backing the project, with Metaoui stating, "We're not going to count the cost."
To streamline filmmaking, Algeria established the National Film Center in 2024 as a one-stop shop for permits, licenses, and visas. The goal is to dismantle the troublesome bureaucracy that has long hampered productions. Further infrastructure plans include:
- A new 'cinema city' in the capital, Algiers, with soundstages.
- Post-production and special-effects facilities in Tinerkouk, located in the southwestern desert.
The target is to produce up to 30 movies annually in Algeria. Metaoui revealed that about 170 projects are currently seeking funding from the Culture Ministry, indicating strong domestic interest.
Attracting Global Spotlight and Confronting Colonial History
Algeria is also actively seeking international co-productions, with agreements already in place with countries like South Africa, Canada, Italy, and Turkey. The potential is significant, as seen in neighboring Morocco, which has become a popular Hollywood filming location.
This cinematic push aligns with President Tebboune's broader goal of bolstering Algeria's international profile. The country, an OPEC member with 47 million people, is navigating economic pressures and regional feuds with Morocco and former colonial ruler France.
Notably, Algeria's parliament is set to discuss a bill demanding an official apology and compensation from France for the colonial period. This fraught history has often inspired Algeria's cinematic successes, from the classic "The Battle of Algiers" (1966) to upcoming projects.
One such project is "Reggane" by French-Algerian director Rachid Bouchareb. It will tackle the controversial French nuclear tests in the Algerian desert in the 1960s. Bouchareb, whose previous films "Days of Glory" and "Outside the Law" were Oscar-nominated, confirmed filming will start in September 2026 in southern Algeria, with the government's total support.
For Algeria, this film industry revival is more than entertainment; it's a strategic effort to tell its own stories, attract foreign investment, and carve out a new space on the global cultural map.
