Casablanca – From June 25 to 28, the Moroccan city Mechra Bel Ksiri will host the third edition of the Women and Child Cinema Festival.
Organized with the support of Moroccan Cinema Center (CCM), Cosumar, and the Mechra Bel Ksiri commune, in collaboration with the National Federation of Cinema Clubs in Morocco, the festival continues to position itself as a space for both cinematic expression and exchange.
The program brings together film screenings, workshops, competitions, and discussions centered on cinema related to women and children, creating a space for artistic expression and dialogue.
This edition will also pay tribute to the late director Mohamed Ahed Bensouda, recognizing his contribution to Moroccan cinema and his lasting impact on the field.
A total of 18 short films will compete in the festival’s competition, evaluated by a jury composed of filmmaker Fatima Ali Boubakdy, who will serve as president, alongside actress Majdouline Idrissi, screenwriter Bouchra Malek, actor Abdou Mesnaoui, and media figure Hossein Chaabi.
Beyond screenings and competitions, this edition places a strong focus on dialogue and reflection around cinema and women.
Under the moderation of critic Ahmed Sijilimassi, a dedicated roundtable will explore women’s representation in Moroccan cinema, bringing together critics, researchers, and professionals.
The program also extends into publishing, with the presentation of “New Cinematic Experiences, Readings of Maghreb Films” by Abdelkarim Ouakrim.
Alongside that, the festival opens space for learning through a series of workshops in cinema and visual storytelling led by Abdelouahed Mjahed and Mohamed Charaf Belcheikh.
Younger audiences are also part of the program, with dedicated screenings designed to introduce children and teenagers to cinema language and encourage early engagement with visual culture.
