Casablanca – Moroccan cinema is making another mark on the international film scene, with two short films selected for the César 2027 Official Selection ahead of the awards ceremony on February 25, 2027.
Saïd Hamich Benlarbi’s “À la recherche de l’oiseau gris aux rayures vertes” joins the Official Selection for fiction short films, while Randa Maroufi’s “L’Mina” appears in the documentary short film selection.
The selection comes after both films made their way through the international festival circuit, giving their César appearance an even wider context.
A mysterious journey through the Atlas
Starring Oussama Oussous, Benlarbi’s 45-minute film follows Sellam as he travels through the roads of the Atlas Mountains south of Marrakech in search of a mysterious bird.
The film had its world premiere at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival in the Quinzaine des Cinéastes, where it was presented among the short and medium-length films. It later won the 2026 Prix Jean Vigo for short film, adding another distinction to its festival journey.
A story rooted in Jerada
Randa Maroufi’s “L’Mina” takes a very different route, turning its attention to Jerada and its mining history.
The 26-minute documentary explores the city’s informal coal mining activity, which continues despite the official end of coal extraction in 2001. Maroufi recreates the work inside the mining pits through a set designed with local residents, who take on their own roles in the film.
The film previously appeared at Cannes 2025 during the Semaine de la Critique, where it received the Leitz Cine Discovery Award for Best Short Film.
From Morocco to the César stage
Together, the two films highlight the range of Moroccan short filmmaking, from a mysterious journey through the Atlas to a documentary rooted in the history and realities of a former mining city.
Their César selection also adds another chapter to two festival journeys that have already taken them to some of the world’s major film stages. As the February ceremony approaches, both films will carry their Moroccan stories into one of France’s most prominent film awards.
