Marrakech – Running from September 15 to October 27, the African Young Women in Action (AYWA) film residency brings together filmmakers from the five sub-regions of Africa, representing Namibia, Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Ghana, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, and Morocco.
Launched by the Tamayouz Cinema Foundation and UNESCO, with support from Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Story School, La Prod, Digital Factory, Intelcia, and the People’s Republic of China, the program gives a powerful platform to emerging female voices in African cinema.
AYWA is being described as a “cinema laboratory.” Over six weeks, participants will develop, shoot, and edit short films under the guidance of leading African filmmakers such as Hicham Lasri and Abderrahmane Sissako, alongside an international network of industry mentors.
What makes this initiative stand out is its dual mission: each director will create her own short film while also contributing to a collective pan-African anthology.
This anthology is inspired by Casablanca’s call centers; a symbol of cultural exchange and crossroads seeking to demonstrate the potential of African cinema as both deeply personal and powerfully collective.
Powerful voices, shared stories
At its core, AYWA is about visibility, ambition, and collaboration. By gathering African women directors around a shared narrative anchored in Morocco, the program emphasizes both the individual creativity of its residents and the collective strength of their voices.
“This is not just about producing films, it’s about building proof that African women’s stories belong on the global stage,” says Lamia Chraibi, producer and founder of the program.
A premiere in Rabat
The residency will culminate on October 27 at the Cinémathèque Marocaine in Rabat, where the world premieres of the residents’ films will be screened.
The event will also feature networking sessions with producers, broadcasters, platforms, festivals, and institutional partners, giving the young directors direct access to international opportunities.
Building the future of African cinema
AYWA is part of a wider mission by the Tamayouz Cinema Foundation, established in 2019 by five Moroccan women film professionals to champion training, mentorship, and access to opportunities for emerging talent.
Its collaboration with UNESCO and international partners reflects a shared belief: investing in African creativity means shaping the future of global cinema.
With its combination of bold storytelling, cross-continental collaboration, and strong institutional support, AYWA sets the stage for the next wave of African women filmmakers to take their stories and their voices worldwide.
