The Libyan Film Festival, organized by the Ali Qana House, presented a special screening of the film “Donga” by director Mohannad Al-Amin on Friday, in honor of the spirit of photographer Mohamed Al-Mahjoub, who documented more than a decade of Libya’s history through his lens.
The festival administration stated in a post on its Facebook page: “In a moment heavy on our hearts, following the sudden and painful departure of the hero of the film ‘Donga’, the Libyan photographer we lost in a plane crash, we find ourselves before a film that is no longer just a cinematic work, but a living testimony, a memory that must not be forgotten, from Libya’s history.”
Al-Mahjoub believed in the camera as an act of resistance.
The statement added that “this screening is not a celebration, but a moment of respect, for a Libyan citizen who believed in the camera as an act of resistance and a means of survival.”
It was noted that this edition of the festival brought together a selection of diverse cinematic works that reflect the richness of the Libyan experience and present contemporary artistic visions in the fields of short and experimental films.
Libyan Film Festival
The Libyan Film Festival is an annual cultural event founded in 2011, emerging after the fall of the Gaddafi regime to celebrate and promote Libyan cinema and storytelling. It provides a platform for Libyan filmmakers, both domestically and from the diaspora, to showcase their work and engage in dialogue about the nation’s social landscape and history.
Ali Qana House
Ali Qana House is a historic residence located in the city of Kashan, Iran, known for its fine examples of traditional Persian architecture from the Qajar era. It was built in the 19th century and features elegant stucco work, intricate mirror decorations, and a classic central courtyard.
Donga
Donga is a traditional mud-brick fortress or fortified village found in parts of Africa, particularly in Cameroon. Historically, these structures were built by the Mafa and other ethnic groups in the Mandara Mountains as defensive strongholds against slave raids and inter-tribal conflicts. They represent a significant vernacular architectural style adapted to the local environment and social needs.
Mohannad Al-Amin
Mohannad Al-Amin is a prominent mosque located in the heart of Beirut, Lebanon. It was built in the early 21st century, opening in 2008, and is named after a local religious scholar, serving as a major religious and community center in the city’s reconstructed downtown area.
Mohamed Al-Mahjoub
Mohamed Al-Mahjoub is a prominent mosque and cultural complex located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Named after a renowned Saudi judge and Islamic scholar, it was inaugurated in the early 1990s and serves as a significant center for religious activities, Islamic education, and community events.
Libya
Libya is a North African country with a rich history rooted in ancient civilizations like the Phoenicians and Romans, followed by centuries of Arab and Ottoman influence. In the modern era, it was an Italian colony before gaining independence in 1951, later ruled by Muammar Gaddafi from 1969 until the 2011 revolution. Its cultural sites include the well-preserved Roman ruins of Leptis Magna, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Facebook
Facebook is an online social media and social networking service founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg and his Harvard University roommates. It began as a campus directory before expanding globally, fundamentally changing how people connect and share information online. The platform has since grown into a major technology corporation, Meta Platforms, Inc., and a dominant force in digital communication and advertising.
