Iraqi-French discussion around MOU for joint film production

Culture and art

12-09-2022, 21:00

INA - BAGHDAD

Minister of Culture, Hassan Nadhim and the French Ambassador to Baghdad Eric Chevalier discussed on Monday, the signing of a memorandum of understanding in the field of joint film production and the signing of the partnership contract between the Iraqi Manuscripts House and the French National Library, as well as the establishment of the second season of the film festival in early October.

Nadhim received Chevalier and his accompanying delegation as they discussed ways to enhance cultural and artistic cooperation in several fields and areas with the French government and the latter’s support for Iraq’s efforts in managing European grants and UNESCO’s activities, including the reconstruction of cultural heritage in Mosul and Basra, according to a statement by the Ministry of Culture received by the Iraqi News Agency - INA.

During the meeting, which was attended by the President of the General Authority for Antiquities and Heritage, Laith Majid Hussein and the Director General of the Department of Cultural Relations Falah Hassan, they discussed the establishment of the second season of the French-German-Iraqi Film Festival in the Abbasid Palace in early October.

The two sides discussed defining the frameworks for signing a memorandum of understanding with France in the field of joint film production and support for Iraqi actors and producers, in addition to developing cooperation in the field of French archaeological excavation missions operating in Iraq, as well as signing a partnership contract between the French National Library and the Iraqi Manuscripts House with setting the earliest dates for launching Iraqi expert training workshops in the field of manuscript preservation mid-October.

Chevalier said, "The European community is focusing today on providing aid and grants to the Iraqi service sectors, specifically in the fields of water, energy and electricity," noting that "its efforts will not stop in the field of supporting Iraqi culture by all means."