Under the patronage of Al-Mustaqbal University and the supervision of its President, Prof. Dr. Hassan Shakir Majdi, the 6th edition of the Babylon Animation Film Festival kicked off on Sunday, October 11, 2026, on the university campus. The event saw broad Arab and international participation and was attended by the Director of the Babylon Festival for World Cultures and Arts, Dr. Ali Al-Shallah, alongside a distinguished group of artists, writers, intellectuals, and cinema enthusiasts. The festival featured films from various Arab and international countries—including Egypt, Russia, Tatarstan, Ukraine, Tunisia, Lebanon, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Palestine, and the Sultanate of Oman—in an artistic showcase aimed at supporting animation cinema and fostering cultural and creative exchange. The opening ceremony began with the Iraqi national anthem, followed by an address from the university administration delivered by Prof. Dr. Muzaffar Sadiq Al-Zuhairi, Director of Scientific and Academic Supervision, on behalf of the University President. He emphasized the university's pride in hosting this cultural and artistic event, as well as its commitment to supporting creativity and fostering activities that enhance communication and cooperation between Iraqi creators and their counterparts from Arab and international nations. Festival President Prof. Dr. Amer Sabah Al-Marzouq also delivered a speech highlighting the festival's importance in supporting the animation film industry and providing filmmakers with opportunities to exchange expertise and artistic experiences. The first day’s activities featured the screening of 14 films during the morning session, while the evening session included an intellectual seminar titled "Artificial Intelligence and the Animation Film Industry," alongside the screening of 17 participating films. The opening ceremony also saw the honoring of Al-Mustaqbal University and the President of the Babylon Festival for World Cultures and Arts, in recognition of their efforts to support cultural and artistic activities. The festival continues into its second day with film screenings celebrating Egyptian animation schools—marking the 90th anniversary of Arab animation cinema—as well as a book signing ceremony, the honoring of participants and festival committees, the announcement of results, and the presentation of awards. Al-Mustaqbal University’s sponsorship of this event underscores its role in supporting the cultural and artistic landscape, fostering creative initiatives, and enhancing the profile of Babylon Governorate as a hub for culture and the arts—a platform for connection among artists, intellectuals, and filmmakers. Al-Mustaqbal University… Your first step toward a promising academic future.