If You See Someone Without A Smile ...: January 10, 2009 -- LA Amazigh Film Festival

This date marks the Amazigh New Year or Yennayer 2959, according to the Berber Calendar which was started in Egypt under the reign of Shashonq I. Each year, the celebration of Yennayer is observed by the thirty millions or so of Berbers throughout North Africa, in European cities, Canada and the U.S.

The goal of the Los Angeles Amazigh Film Festival is to introduce you to the Amazigh world of Berbers and Tuaregs of the vast North African territory called "Tamazgha" which extends from the Oasis of Siwa in Egypt, through Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, the Canary Islands, the Sahara desert to the north of Niger and Mali, and Burkina-Faso. This year, the celebration focuses more on Morocco, while last year emphasized Algeria, and next year will showcase the Tuareg people.

We hope the 2009 festival will please you: we have selected two superb documentaries and a very special full-length film for your viewing. In addition, we have added an Art Exhibit featuring two exceptional Amazigh artists from Morocco, Hassan Moumene (Atlas) and Abdallah Aourik (Souss), and a longer concluding Concert. We also have special guests from Morocco, and a musical group led by known artist KHALID AYOUR from the Souss.