Cinéma Jet: Bringing European cinema, skills and culture closer to communities across Tunisia

Cinema can be much more than a screening: it can be a way to connect people, develop skills, open conversations and bring Europe closer to citizens.

This is the ambition behind Cinéma Jet, a joint cultural initiative of the European Union Delegation and European Member States in Tunisia, implemented with local cultural partners. Following its first edition in Tabarka and Nefta in 2025, the festival returned in 2026 with a stronger focus on inclusion, accessibility, youth engagement and territorial outreach.

The second edition first took place in Zaghouan from 3 to 13 September, before moving to Jendouba from 30 September to 11 October, bringing European and Tunisian cinema, artists and cultural professionals closer to audiences beyond Tunisia's main cultural centres.

But Cinéma Jet is not only about watching films. It is also about discovering how films are made and giving young people the opportunity to explore the different professions behind cinema.

Throughout the festival, workshops and masterclasses dedicated to cinema professions and creative practices have offered participants the opportunity to meet professionals, discover different aspects of filmmaking and develop new skills. From artistic creation and image-making to new technologies and other creative disciplines, these activities encourage young people to see culture not only as an audience, but also as a space for learning, experimentation and future opportunities.

In Jendouba, this approach has been particularly visible through a rich programme combining film screenings, cinema-related workshops, masterclasses, virtual reality experiences, dance, photography and illustration, as well as encounters with artists and cultural professionals.

Inclusion is at the heart of this year's edition. Cinéma Jet has sought to ensure that cultural participation is accessible to audiences who are often under-represented or face barriers to accessing cultural activities. Partnerships with organisations working with people with visual and hearing impairments have enabled dedicated activities, including adapted cinema experiences and initiatives designed to make the festival more accessible.

The festival has also deliberately moved beyond conventional cultural venues. In Jendouba, screenings and activities have reached Jendouba city, Aïn Soltan, Bni Mtir and Fernana, including school screenings and mobile cinema activities. The mobile cinema truck has brought films directly to communities and audiences who may have limited access to conventional cinemas.

This territorial approach is at the core of Cinéma Jet: bringing culture to people rather than expecting people to travel to cultural centres.

The festival also demonstrates the added value of Team Europe cooperation. The EU Delegation and European partners from Germany, France, Spain, Poland and Belgium have joined forces with Tunisian cultural actors to create a shared programme that combines European cultural diversity with local realities and initiatives.

Beyond the screenings, the festival creates spaces for encounters, learning and dialogue between European and Tunisian artists, cultural professionals, young people and local communities.

From open-air screenings and mobile cinema to masterclasses, creative workshops and inclusive activities, Cinéma Jet shows how cultural cooperation can have a concrete impact on people's everyday access to culture.

Link Instagram opening Zaghouen

Link Instagram opening Jendouba