Nouakchott International Film Festival

Festival International du Film de Nouakchott

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Arts & CultureNouakchott

DatesDates TBA · Usually OctoberCheck locally before booking

DurationAnnualEstimate from available data

Crowd-Public scale varies

Best forPerformance, exhibitionsAs Mauritania's first dedicated

LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: MRU

CategoryArts & CultureFestival type

The story

Nouakchott International Film Festival in Nouakchott

The Nouakchott International Film Festival, launched in 2023, is Mauritania's first festival of its kind, staged at the Palais des Congres in Nouakchott. Its inaugural edition ran October 15 to 17 with 28 feature and short films from a dozen countries, and its second edition in October 2024 featured 16 films from 13 filmmakers across North Africa, sub-Saharan Africa, and beyond.

When the Nouakchott International Film Festival opened its doors in October 2023, it marked the first time Mauritania had hosted a festival of its kind, a five-day event staged at the Palais des Congres that brought together 28 feature-length and short films from roughly a dozen countries.

Your trip starts here

What is special

The part that makes it specific.

The place changes

As Mauritania's first dedicated international film festival, the event fills a genuine gap in a country with a small but growing film industry

The mystery stays covered

Its inaugural edition, chaired by director Abderrahman Lahi, ran two parallel competitions, one for traditionally shot feature films and another for films shot on mobile phones, a structural choice that opened participation to lower-budget and emerging filmmakers alongside established directors

The city starts moving

The top prize, the Golden Oyster, went in its first year to the Omani short film Ramad, directed by Sulaiman al Khalili, giving the festival an early international result that helped establish its credibility

The water draws everyone in

Hosting the event at the Palais des Congres, Nouakchott's main convention venue, signals the level of institutional backing behind the festival from its earliest edition

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival reflects a deliberate government and cultural-sector push to build formal film infrastructure in Mauritania

Water and renewal

Living ritual

a country whose cinema industry

The sacred route

Living ritual

while historically small

The local code

Living ritual

has produced internationally recognized figures such as director Abderrahmane Sissako

Tradition 5

Living ritual

and it positions Nouakchott alongside other West and North African capitals developing their own competitive film festival circuits

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually October

Getting around

For Nouakchott International Film Festival, plan transport around the exact Nouakchott venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Smart casual to formal for screenings and the awards ceremony; business or semi-formal attire is appropriate for the opening and closing ceremonies, with modest dress in line with general...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For Nouakchott International Film Festival, stay near the part of Nouakchott you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

MRU

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map18.09 N, 15.98 W Open in Google Maps

Nouakchott, Nouakchott, Mauritania

Nearest airportNKC — Nouakchott–Oumtounsy

TransportFor Nouakchott International Film Festival, plan transport around the exact Nouakchott venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

Stay areaFor Nouakchott International Film Festival, stay near the part of Nouakchott you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Nouakchott via local transport.Search routes Find a place to stayStays near Nouakchott, close enough for the event-day route.Browse stays Find flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for October.Compare fares Festival gearSmart casual to formal for screenings and the awards ceremony; business or semi-formal attire is appropriate for the opening and closing ceremonies, with modest dress in line with general Mauritanian social norms.Shop the kit Check visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Mauritania and apply online.Check entry rules Travel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Nouakchott International Film Festival?

Nouakchott International Film Festival is listed for October. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Nouakchott International Film Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Nouakchott, Mauritania. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Annual is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Nouakchott, Nouakchott, Mauritania

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLami.mr

Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →

SourceSource link available

Listed datesDates TBA · Usually October

Source statusOfficial source linked

Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →

Nouakchott International Film Festival

Nouakchott International Film Festival in Nouakchott

The part that makes it specific.

The place changes

The mystery stays covered

The city starts moving

The water draws everyone in

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Water and renewal

The sacred route

The local code

Tradition 5

Essential information

When to go

Getting around

What to wear

Safety

Where to stay

Tickets/cost

Language/currency

Family friendly

Nouakchott, Nouakchott, Mauritania

Your Trip Starts Here

Quick answers.

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

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