Marrakech – The Marrakech International Film Festival has announced the selection of 28 projects and films for the 8th edition of the Atlas Workshops, set to take place in Marrakech from November 30 to December 4.
The event will bring together a diverse group of filmmakers and professionals from across the Arab world, Africa, and Europe.
This year’s edition will be mentored by Romanian filmmaker, screenwriter, and producer Cristian Mungiu, winner of the Palme d’Or at Cannes in 2007 for his film “4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days.”
Mungiu is recognized as one of Europe’s leading contemporary cinematic voices, known for acclaimed works such as “Beyond the Hills,” “Graduation,” and “R.M.N.”
According to the festival’s statement, Mungiu’s appointment aligns with the artistic vision of the Atlas Workshops, reflecting values of precision, rigor, and deep human insight, principles that also guide this professional program dedicated to supporting emerging talents from the Arab world and Africa.
Launched in 2018, the Atlas Workshops form the professional heart of the festival, aiming to nurture a new generation of Moroccan, Arab, and African filmmakers by supporting their projects through various stages of production and distribution.
The eighth edition introduces new programs, including Atlas Distribution Meetings, organized for the first time following the creation of the Atlas Distribution Awards in 2023.
The initiative seeks to promote the circulation of Arab and African films across global markets.
Around 60 distribution experts from Africa, the Arab world, and Europe are expected to participate, discovering a selection of Arab and African films in post-production, alongside titles screened during the festival.
The festival also continues to develop its professional training platform, Atlas Platform, dedicated to young Moroccan producers and filmmakers.
Seven Moroccan professionals will receive mentorship in film production, while four Moroccan short films in post-production will benefit from artistic and technical support to expand their distribution reach.
This year’s selection includes 12 projects in development (10 feature films and 2 documentaries) and 10 films in production or post-production, in addition to five Moroccan projects under the Atlas Perspectives section and one Moroccan feature in the Atlas Screenings program.
Representing 17 countries — including Morocco, Palestine, Lebanon, Egypt, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Angola, Jordan, Tanzania, Yemen, and the Democratic Republic of Congo — the selection highlights the rich cultural and geographic diversity of this edition.
Morocco will have a strong presence this year, with acclaimed filmmakers such as Bouchra Rokhaya, Zineb Wakrim, Leila Marrakchi, and Asmae El Moudir participating, alongside director Mohamed Zineddine, who will present exclusive scenes from his upcoming film Until Dawn.
The Atlas Perspectives section will feature Moroccan emerging talents such as Halima El Khattabi, Reda Lahmouid, Zahoua El Raji, Ayoub El Yousfi, Shadin Safieddine Ettazi, and Lina Tahiri, all developing new feature projects.
Other notable Arab and African participants include Palestinians Scandar Copti and Maha Haj, Burkinabe director Aboubacar Sankaré, Jordanian filmmaker Amjad Al Rasheed, Egyptian director Mohamed Hammad, Tanzanian filmmaker Amil Shivji, and Lebanese directors Vatche Boulghourjian, Rami Kodeih, Mounia Akl, and Michel Tyan. Ghanaian director Amartei Armar, known for his Cannes-selected short Tsutsu, also joins the lineup.
The selected projects explore a range of human and social themes such as identity, family bonds, resilience, reconciliation, environmental awareness, and self-discovery, reflecting the diversity and creative vitality of contemporary Arab and African cinema.
