Fez — The European Film Weeks are returning to Moroccan cinemas in early 2026, bringing a fresh selection of acclaimed European films and emerging Mediterranean talent to three major cities.
Organized by the European Union in Morocco, in partnership with the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication (MJCC), the Moroccan Cinema Center (CCM), and EU member states, the event will run from January 28 to February 11, 2026, marking its 31st edition.
This year’s screenings will take place in three emblematic venues of Morocco’s cinema circuit next year: Cinéma Rif in Casablanca from January 28 to February 4, Le Colisée in Marrakech from January 30 to February 6, and Cinéma Renaissance in Rabat from February 4 to 11. Each city will host its own program, offering audiences the chance to discover a curated selection of recent European productions on the big screen.
Launched in 1991, the European Film Weeks have become one of the most established events on Morocco’s cultural calendar. More than just a touring film showcase, the initiative serves as a platform for dialogue between Morocco and Europe, using cinema as a shared language to explore social questions, diverse perspectives, and evolving identities on both sides of the Mediterranean.
The 2026 edition will maintain this spirit of openness and diversity, with a lineup featuring European feature films recently distinguished at major international festivals. Mixing works by established auteurs, confirmed screenwriters, and new voices, the program aims to offer a panoramic and demanding view of contemporary European creation.
Alongside the feature films, the European Film Weeks will also highlight short films by directors from the southern Mediterranean. This parallel section, which has become a hallmark of the event, gives visibility to emerging filmmakers whose work often circulates primarily in festivals rather than commercial theaters. By presenting these shorts alongside celebrated European titles, the festival reinforces artistic exchanges and encourages encounters between different cinematic traditions.
Over three decades, the initiative has accompanied the evolution of Moroccan cinephilia — from the era of a few iconic theaters in major cities to today’s landscape of multiplexes, cultural venues, and regional festivals. For many viewers, the European Film Weeks remain a rare opportunity to see films that might otherwise never reach Moroccan distribution, and to experience them collectively rather than alone on streaming platforms.
Beyond the screenings, the event traditionally includes discussions, Q&A sessions, and informal meetings between filmmakers, professionals, and the public. While the detailed program of this 31st edition has not yet been unveiled, organizers say the full lineup and schedule will be announced soon, with tickets available directly at participating cinemas.
At a time when Moroccan cinema is gaining international visibility and local audiences are increasingly curious about diverse storytelling, the return of the European Film Weeks underscores the role of cultural cooperation in keeping theaters alive as spaces of discovery, conversation, and shared experience.
