Fez — The Festival International du Cinéma d’Auteur de Rabat (FICAR) is paying tribute to Egyptian star Laila Eloui as a guest of honor, highlighting her decades-long career across film, television, and stage. Organizers announced the homage as part of a broader program spotlighting Arab and African voices in amateur cinema.
Eloui posted on her official social channels, wearing Moroccan caftan, before her attendance at the opening events. The festival also promoted her appearance, inviting audiences to meet the actress at the launch at Théâtre National Mohammed V.
The 30th edition features screenings, talks, and juried competitions from November 8 to 14 continuing the event’s growth since its 1994 founding. This year’s program names Oman as Guest of Honor, underscoring cultural ties between Rabat and the wider Arab world.
Alongside Eloui’s tribute, FICAR is honoring Burkinabé director Apolline Traoré, Lebanese actor-playwright Georges Khabbaz, and Moroccan scholar Noureddine Afaya, reflecting a pan-regional lens on authors’ cinema.
Rabat’s author film festival has become a fixture on Morocco’s cultural calendar, offering a platform for emerging and established filmmakers while strengthening the capital’s reputation as a creative hub. Showcasing Eloui — one of Egyptian cinema’s most recognizable faces — further cements Morocco’s role as a meeting point for Arab and African talent and audiences.
Festival updates, including daily schedules, jury activities and public talks, are being posted across the event’s official channels and partner outlets throughout the week. Fans can follow the festival and Eloui’s appearances via FICAR’s website and social pages.
