Organizers confirm 120 films from 40 countries, the largest program in the festival’s history.
Officials familiar with the matter said the development had been under discussion for several months, with technical committees reviewing detailed proposals before the final announcement was made public this week.
Analysts described the move as significant, noting that similar initiatives in the region have produced measurable results within the first year of implementation when backed by consistent follow-through.
The announcement drew swift reactions across the political and business spectrum, with supporters calling it overdue and critics questioning the timeline and allocation of resources.
Independent observers cautioned that execution remains the real test, pointing to earlier programs that launched with strong momentum but slowed once initial attention faded.
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