Fez — Sofia Alaoui has been named to the jury of the “Perspectives” competition at the 76th edition of the Berlin International Film Festival, also known as the Berlinale, which will take place from February 12 to 22 in the German capital.

Festival organizers announced the composition of juries across the Berlinale’s various sections this week, confirming Alaoui’s participation in the Perspectives jury, a competition devoted to debut feature films by new voices in international cinema.

A section focused on emerging filmmakers

The Perspectives competition was created to spotlight first-time feature directors and support bold, original approaches to filmmaking. Alaoui will sit on the jury alongside German director Frédéric Hambalek and Dorota Lech, a Canadian-Polish programmer known for her work in international film curation.

The jury is tasked with evaluating debut features that often mark a turning point in young filmmakers’ careers, making the section a key platform for discovery within the Berlinale’s broader program.

From Casablanca to international recognition

Born and raised in Casablanca, Alaoui has steadily built a reputation as one of the most promising Moroccan filmmakers on the global stage. She first gained widespread attention with her short film “Qu’importe si les bêtes meurent” (“So What If the Goats Die”), which won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival.

The film’s success continued in France, where it earned the César Award for Best Fiction Short Film in 2021, placing Alaoui firmly on the international cinema map.

‘Animalia’ and a growing global profile

In 2023, Alaoui released her first feature-length film, “Animalia,” a work that blended science fiction elements with social and cultural themes rooted in Morocco. The film was praised for its visual ambition and unconventional narrative style.

“Animalia” received the Special Jury Prize for Creative Vision at Sundance and later won Best International Feature at the Calgary International Film Festival. The film’s international reception confirmed Alaoui’s transition from emerging talent to an established director with a distinctive cinematic voice.

A prestigious Berlinale lineup

The 2026 Berlinale will once again bring together high-profile figures from the global film industry. The jury of the International Competition will be chaired by German filmmaker Wim Wenders, joined by cinema professionals from Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Organizers have also announced juries for other major sections, including short films, documentaries, and Generation, the program dedicated to young audiences.

Alaoui’s presence on the Perspectives jury reflects both her personal trajectory and the growing visibility of Moroccan cinema in major international festivals. Her appointment places a Moroccan voice at the heart of a competition focused on shaping the future of global filmmaking, reflecting the country’s underlining Morocco’s expanding role in contemporary cinema conversations beyond the region.