Fez — Morocco will be the guest of honor at the 41st Alexandria Mediterranean Film Festival, running October 2–6 in Egypt, with organizers touting a program of 131 films from 46 countries across eight competitions.
Festival director Samir Farag said the 2025 edition aims to reinforce Alexandria’s position as a Mediterranean hub for art and culture—a theme of the event’s long-standing focus on regional exchange. The press conference confirmed Moroccan cinema as the guest of honor, and outlined a broad competitive slate, including seven film contests and a separate screenwriting competition.
The program will feature feature-length and short film competitions, a children’s cinema strand, and an Egyptian fiction contest. Organizers also announced tributes to several screen luminaries, among them Egypt’s Ferdous Abdel Hamid and Riad El Khouly, Morocco’s Nasser Mezdaoui, and additional homages planned for Tunisian and French figures. The tribute roster complements a series of workshops and masterclasses covering cinematography, directing, and the future of filmmaking in the age of artificial intelligence, to be led by Egyptian and international experts.
As guest of honor, Morocco is expected to anchor special screenings and panels that highlight its recent momentum on the festival circuit. The Alexandria event traditionally spotlights a “country guest of honor” through a dedicated panorama, giving audiences a curated window into national film output and industry voices.
The festival’s leadership also underscores its regional remit. The Alexandria Mediterranean Countries Film Festival (AMCFF/AFFMC) is chaired by critic El Amir (Amir) Abaza, with veteran cinematographer Dr. Samir Farag serving as director general—figures who have steered the event’s mix of competition, tributes, and professional development.
Beyond the official competitions, organizers are promising a packed calendar of public activities designed to bring cinephiles and industry professionals into the same conversation—from historical retrospectives to hands-on labs addressing fast-moving technologies like AI in post-production and content verification. The combination of a Moroccan focus, multiple competitive sections, and skills-driven workshops positions the 41st edition to broaden exchange among filmmakers from both shores of the Mediterranean.
Further details on the Moroccan guest of honor program and daily schedule are expected in the lead-up to opening night.
