A short film by Algerian director Mouloud Aït Liotna, titled “The House is on Fire, Might as Well Get Warm”, has received an enthusiastic response from audiences at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival in France.
According to reports, the film has had four packed screenings at the festival, which runs from February 2 to 10. The festival has provided a platform for the film to showcase its narrative and performances.
Premiered at the Directors’ Fortnight of the 76th Cannes Film Festival, the film has now been selected for the National Competition of one of the world’s most prestigious short film festivals. It has already screened for four consecutive days from February 3 to 6, with more highly anticipated screenings scheduled for February 8, 9, and 10.
The House is on Fire, Might as Well Get Warm tells the story of Yanis, a young Kabyle man preparing to leave for Paris. However, a visit to his nearby village leads to unexpected encounters and revelations, transforming his final day into a poignant road movie through the landscapes of Algeria. The film features Mehdi Ramdani and Mohamed Lefkir in lead roles.
Since its debut at Cannes’ Director’s Fortnight, the film has been highly acclaimed at various film festivals, including the Festival de Cinéma de Douarnenez, Bejaia Film Encounters, Cinemed – Festival Cinéma Méditerranéen Montpellier, and the Festival des Cinémas d’Afrique du Pays d’Apt.
During its production phase, the film received crucial financial support from esteemed institutions such as Région Occitanie, AFAC, and the Centre National du Cinéma et de l’Image Animée.
Written and directed by Mouloud Aït Liotna and produced by Avant la Nuit, led by Benjamin Costes and Thibaut Amri, “The House is on Fire, Might as Well Get Warm” is a film that continues to captivate audiences with its narrative and performances.
