Under the patronage of the President of Al-Mustaqbal University, Prof. Dr. Hassan Shakir Majdi, the sixth edition of the Babylon Animation Film Festival commenced at the university on Sunday, 11 October 2026. The two-day festival was attended by Dr. Ali Al-Shallah, President of the Babylon International Festival of Cultures and Arts, alongside a distinguished group of artists and writers. It featured films from Egypt, Russia, Tatarstan, Ukraine, Tunisia, Lebanon, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Palestine, and the Sultanate of Oman. The opening ceremony began with the national anthem, followed by an address on behalf of the university president, delivered by Prof. Dr. Muzaffar Sadiq Al-Zuhairi, Director of Scientific and Academic Supervision. He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to supporting creativity and hosting events that contribute to strengthening cultural and cinematic activity. The ceremony also featured an address by Prof. Dr. Amer Sabah Al-Marzouk, President of the festival, who highlighted its importance in enabling filmmakers to exchange artistic expertise. The event concluded with the presentation of honours to Al-Mustaqbal University and the President of the Babylon International Festival of Cultures and Arts in recognition of their efforts. The first day’s morning session featured 14 films from Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Tunisia, Egypt, and Morocco. The evening session included a specialised intellectual seminar entitled “Artificial Intelligence and Animation Film Production”, alongside screenings of 17 films. On the festival’s second day, activities are scheduled to continue with a book-signing ceremony, film screenings commemorating 90 years of Arab animation cinema, and the announcement of the results followed by the presentation of awards. Al-Mustaqbal University .. The First Private University in Iraq
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