France took center stage as this year’s guest of honor, adding a touch of European flair to the festival.

Marrakech – The thirteenth edition of the Oujda International Maghrebi Film Festival (FIMFO) kicked off this week on November 5.

Organized by the Ciné-Maghreb association, the festival is running through November 9, exploring the theme “Cinema Between Citizenship and Belonging.”

The Mohammed VI Theater set the stage for a glamorous opening ceremony, where celebrities graced the red carpet, warmly welcomed by the cheering crowds of Oujda.

During the opening ceremony, Khatib El Hebil, wali of the Oriental region, emphasized cinema’s essential role in Oujda’s cultural and social progress, noting its power to cultivate values of citizenship and unity. 

Ciné-Maghreb president Khalid Sli added that the festival embodies the essence of popular art and serves as a powerful medium for shared values, solidifying Oujda’s standing as a premier cinematic destination.

The official short and feature film competitions will showcase 25 films, with the feature film jury led by acclaimed Moroccan director Idriss Lamrini. 

It also includes a diverse panel of industry experts, such as Spanish screenwriter, documentary filmmaker, and actress Mercedes Ortega, as well as Angolan actress Verónica Tshanda.

Red carpet celebri-tea: sips & scoops

Stars like Driss Roukhe, Aziz Dadas, Yassine Ahjam, Sahar Seddiki, Abderrahmane Sissako, Sahar El Sayegh, and Thomas Studler lit up the red carpet alongside a lineup of actors, directors, and industry experts.

Many dazzled in traditional Moroccan attire, adding a touch of elegance to the festival’s spirited celebration.

In an interview with MWN Lifestyle, Driss Roukhe, Moroccan actor and director, highlighted the event’s importance and expressed his continuous commitment to this festival. He spoke emphatically of the event’s impact on not only Moroccan cinema but also Maghrebi, Arab, and global film landscapes.

“This festival holds a special value,” he noted, emphasizing the quality and originality it brings to the cinematic world.

Roukhe expressed particular excitement for this year’s festival programming, including the presence of renowned filmmaker Abderrahmane Sissako.

“Tonight, we will celebrate cinema; African cinema and world cinema,” Roukhe said, praising Sissako’s contributions to the industry. 

With a large crowd gathered in the theater, the people of Oujda came out in droves to demonstrate their strong appreciation for the arts. Reflecting on local enthusiasm for the festival, Roukhe argued that the people of Oujda deserve cinema that reflects the prestige of this event.

Roukhe will chair the short film jury, with members including French actress Fanny Bastien, Mauritanian producer and director Mohammed Mostapha Al Bane, and the director of the “Regards de femmes” festival, Tunisian Manel Suissi.

The stage of the opening ceremony shone brightly as industry stars were honored, including Mauritanian director Abderrahmane Sissako and Egyptian actress Sahar El Sayegh.

On stage, Sahar El Sayegh, stunning in a blue Moroccan takchita adorned with intricate gold designs, was presented by the renowned Nahed Salah, an Egyptian journalist.

In an interview with MWN Lifestyle, Sahar El Sayegh noted that this is her second time to visit Morocco, a country she described  as a home away from home.

El Sayegh has a clear vision for the future of Moroccan cinema, and it’s a strategic and sanguine one. 

According to El Sayegh,  exchanges such as the Oujda Festival boost the industry and create opportunities for collaboration that will have a lasting impact on both local and international cinema.

“Moroccans are incredibly passionate about cinema, and that truly impressed me,” she said, amazed by the nation’s deep love for the art form.

Stay tuned… More excitement is ahead!

The festival also features a series of workshops, seminars, round tables, and master classes, along with exclusive meet-and-greets with celebrities and honored guests.

This edition will also feature a book signing session, where the works “Fragments de scènes” by director Saâd Chraïbi, “Spectacle du texte, structure de la formation sémiotique dans le texte théâtral” by Benyounes Boucaib, and “Cinéma et l’esprit critique” by film critic Khalil Damoun will be available for signatures.

The Oujda International Film Festival is once again proving to be a powerful platform for celebrating Maghrebi cinema on the global stage.

With stars from around the world coming together to honor the rich cinematic heritage of the region, this year’s edition has cemented Oujda’s place as a dynamic cultural hub.

Through its screenings, workshops, and tributes to iconic filmmakers, the festival continues to highlight the universal power of storytelling, fostering a deeper connection between cinema and society.