Fez – Moroccan filmmaker Ayoub Layoussifi will serve on the jury of the fifth 48-Hour Film Challenge in Saudi Arabia this September. The appointment adds a Moroccan voice to a regional program that scouts and trains new talent.

The 48-Hour Film Challenge targets emerging Saudi filmmakers. It asks teams to write, shoot, and edit a short film within two days. The focus is on creative problem-solving. The work is collaborative. The pressure is real. The outcome is often surprising.

Organizers confirmed that fourteen teams were selected this year. They took part in intensive workshops on July 11 and 12. Sessions covered directing, writing, and post-production. Mentors included noted filmmakers and editors. The goal was simple. Give crews the tools to perform under time limits.

Completed shorts will screen in September. The screenings will run during two industry days. Producers and programmers will attend. The jury will choose two winning teams. The prizes include a professional residency in France in 2026. The winners will also show their films at the Red Sea International Film Festival. That exposure matters for first-time directors. It can speed up a career.

The foundation is staging the program with French partners. They include the Consulate General of France in Jeddah. They also include the Embassy of France, Alliance Française, and the French Cultural Center. The partnership aims to widen training pathways. It supports co-creation across languages and markets.

Layoussifi’s selection adds cross-border experience. He works as both director and actor. He has credits in short fiction and documentary. His presence signals confidence in Moroccan craft. It also reflects growing ties between North Africa and the Gulf. For young crews, the message is clear. Regional networks are open. Talent can travel.

The challenge has a simple purpose. Find new voices and help them grow. Give them a stage and a deadline. Let the work speak. This year, the work will be judged by a panel that mirrors the region. Saudi. Lebanese. Moroccan. The result should be rich.