Moroccan Safaa Khattami Wins Best Actress for ‘Mira’ at Rotterdam Arab Film Festival

For an actress who began building her career at a young age, the award marks another significant step in a journey that continues to gain momentum.

Casablanca – Moroccan actress Safaa Khattami has earned the Best Actress award at the Rotterdam Arab Film Festival for her performance in “Mira,” directed by Nour Eddine Lakhmari.

Khattami shared the news with her followers on social media, expressing gratitude for the recognition and pride in representing Moroccan cinema on an international stage.

“A very special thank you to the Rotterdam Arab Film Festival for this great recognition and for awarding me the Best Actress Prize. This honor means a lot to me and motivates me to continue this journey with passion and responsibility,” she wrote.

The announcement was met with an outpouring of support from fellow artists and fans, many of whom flooded the comments section with congratulatory messages.

For an actress who began building her career at a young age, the award marks another significant step in a journey that continues to gain momentum.

Khattami’s performance in “Mira” has now earned international recognition, adding a new milestone to the film’s trajectory and further highlighting the presence of Moroccan talent on the festival circuit.

The award brings renewed attention to a story set in a small village in the Middle Atlas, where a 13-year-old girl searches for her place in a community that offers her little space, exploring themes of freedom, identity, and the tension between tradition and modernity.

Mira was one of three Moroccan productions selected for this year’s lineup, alongside “Heir to Secrets” by Mohamed Nadif and “Goundafa, the Cursed Son” by Ali Benjelloun.

The recognition also comes as Moroccan cinema continues to strengthen its visibility at international festivals, with a growing number of filmmakers, actors, and productions finding audiences well beyond the country’s borders.