Marrakech – Last night, Ouzoud (Azilal) rolled out the red carpet for the highly anticipated second edition of the International Mountain Film Festival.
The event kicked off in style, featuring an impressive lineup of both Moroccan and international filmmakers.
The picturesque backdrop of the mountains set the perfect scene for a celebration of cinematic artistry that promises to dazzle and inspire.
From September 3 to 7, the breathtaking region of Beni Mellal-Khenifra will host the second edition of the International Mountain Film Festival, organized by the Sawt Al Jabal Foundation for Heritage and Sustainable Development.
The festival is all set to champion cinema as a driver of local economic and social development.
It aligns perfectly with the Royal High Guidelines aimed at enhancing and preserving Morocco’s cultural heritage.
This year’s event will spotlight environmental issues, the importance of safeguarding natural heritage, and promote sustainable development initiatives across the rural areas of Moroxco.
For five exciting days, the festival will offer a diverse lineup, including a film competition, outdoor screenings in the heart of Ouzoud, and engaging conferences and masterclasses led by renowned filmmakers and cinema professionals.
The official competition will showcase a dazzling array of international feature films, short films, and documentaries, all screened in the presence of esteemed guests from Africa, Europe, and Asia.
It’s a chance to catch some of the globe’s most celebrated cinematic works, right in the heart of the mountains.
The festival’s grand opening was a star-studded affair, graced by notable figures including Ghita Mezzour, the Minister Delegate for Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, the Secretary General of the Culture Department, the Wali of Beni Mellal-Khenifra, the Secretary General of Azilal Province, the President of the Beni Mellal-Khenifra Region, local elected officials, and numerous prominent figures from the worlds of cinema and art.
At the event, festival president Bahija Simou expressed her deep honor to host the second edition of the International Mountain Film Festival.
She highlighted the foundation’s unwavering commitment to placing the Azilal province and the broader region at the heart of cultural and economic revitalization, with cinema serving as a powerful catalyst for development.
Simou, also the president of the Sawt Al Jabal Foundation for Heritage and Sustainable Development, emphasized the goal of showcasing the region’s unique assets and positioning it as a prime destination for producers and filmmakers.
She referenced Mohammed VI’s Throne Day speech, which highlighted the critical importance of sustainably preserving and managing water resources.
Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid was quoted in a speech that affirmed that hosting the festival in Ouzoud reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to developing mountainous regions and laying the groundwork for a thriving cinematic culture in these areas.
He also highlighted the ambitious project to open 150 cinema halls nationwide, aiming to democratize access to cinema across the country.
This edition, highlighting mountain cinema as a catalyst for development, paid a special tribute to filmmaker Mohamed Abderrahmane Tazi, actress Naima Lemcharki, and Amazigh cinema screenwriter and actor Ahmed Ntama.
Their remarkable contributions and personal sacrifices in advancing Moroccan cinema were celebrated with heartfelt recognition.
According to the foundation, the selected films, with their universal appeal, focus on mountain themes and the surrounding environment.
They explore the profound connections between humanity and nature, inviting viewers to reflect on their role in preserving the natural habitat.
The festival’s rich lineup is further enhanced by a showcase of Moroccan films, featuring appearances by directors and actors.
The conferences will delve into how cinema can drive development in mountainous regions, featuring insights from producers and directors who have filmed in Azilal, leveraging its natural beauty and cultural heritage.
The second edition of the International Mountain Film Festival not only celebrates the magic of cinema but also underscores its potential as a powerful tool for regional development.
