Marrakech – The film “Everybody Loves Touda” was selected by a commission led by Tariq Khalami, representing the Moroccan Cinematographic Center (CCM).
The panel included notable figures such as producer Souad Lamriki, director and producer Layla Triqui, filmmaker Asmae El Moudir, producer and actor Driss Roukhe, and international festival director Zine El Abidine Charafeddine.
The CCM shared the news in a recent statement, further building anticipation for Morocco’s Oscar journey.
The movie tells the story of Touda, a woman with dreams of becoming a “Cheikha,” which is a traditional Moroccan artist known for singing unapologetically about resistance, love and freedom, using lyrics passed down through generations.
Performing nightly in bars under the gaze of men in her small provincial town, Touda holds on to the hope of a better future for herself and her son.
After facing mistreatment and humiliation, she makes the bold decision to leave everything behind and head for the bright lights of Casablanca.
Alongside Nabil Ayouch’s “Everybody Loves Touda,” six other Moroccan films were submitted to the commission for consideration.
These include “L’oasis des eaux gelées” directed by Raouf Sebbahi, “Salem Wsaa” by Moulay Taieb Bouhanana, “Mon père n’est pas mort” by Adil Fadili, “Fez Summer 55” by Abdelhai Laraki, “Les Meutes” by Kamal Lazraq, and “Déserts” by Faouzi Bensaidi.
The Moroccan Cinematographic Center (CCM) confirmed the lineup in their statement, capping off a strong selection for the country’s Oscar bid.
