The sixth edition of the Babylon Animation Film Festival kicked off today, Sunday, October 11, 2026, on the university campus. The two-day event is attended by Dr. Ali Al-Shallah, Director of the Babylon Festival for World Cultures and Arts, alongside a distinguished group of artists, writers, intellectuals, and cinema enthusiasts. The festival features films from various Arab and international countries, including Egypt, Russia, the Republic of Tatarstan, Ukraine, Tunisia, Lebanon, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Palestine, and the Sultanate of Oman. The opening ceremony began with the Iraqi national anthem, followed by an address from the leadership of Al-Mustaqbal University. Delivered by Prof. Dr. Muzaffar Sadiq Al-Zuhairi—Director of Scientific and Academic Supervision—on behalf of the University President, Prof. Dr. Hassan Shaker Majdi, the speech welcomed the guests, participating delegations, artists, and writers. He expressed the university's pride in hosting this artistic and cultural event, emphasizing its commitment to fostering creativity, supporting activities that enrich the cultural and cinematic landscape, and building bridges of communication and cooperation among creative talents from Iraq and abroad. The ceremony also featured a speech by the festival president, Prof. Dr. Amer Sabah Al-Marzouq, who highlighted the festival's importance in supporting animation cinema and providing filmmakers with an opportunity to exchange expertise and artistic experiences. The morning session featured the screening of 14 films from Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Tunisia, Egypt, and Morocco. Meanwhile, the evening session includes an intellectual seminar titled "Artificial Intelligence and the Animation Film Industry," alongside the screening of 17 participating films. The event also included a ceremony honoring Al-Mustaqbal University and the President of the Babylon Festival for World Cultures and Arts, in recognition of their efforts to support cultural and artistic activities. Festival activities are set to continue on the second day with a book signing ceremony and film screenings celebrating Egyptian animation schools—marking 90 years of Arab animation cinema. The program also includes honoring participants and festival committees, reading the closing statement, announcing results, and distributing awards. Al-Mustaqbal University’s sponsorship of this festival underscores its role in supporting cultural and artistic movements, fostering creative initiatives, and enhancing communication among artists, intellectuals, and filmmakers. These efforts contribute to cementing Babylon Governorate’s status as a beacon of culture and the arts. Al-Mustaqbal University: Ranked First Among Iraqi Private Universities