Maybe the next blockbuster to hit our screens will emerge from the shadows of Laayoune’s dunes..
Marrakech – Laayoune, the heart of Morocco’s southern provinces, recently turned into a hub of cinematic storytelling, hosting the first-ever Sahara Films Festival.
Two days of intense discussions, screenings, and tributes, all dedicated to the Sahara.
Throughout the event, Laayoune was not just a backdrop but a living, breathing character in its own right.
Initiated by the Sahara Federation of Cinema and Audiovisual Professionals, this festival isn’t just about movies — it’s about connection.
A bridge between filmmakers, students, and those who see the world in frames per second.
At its opening ceremony, the festival gave us something to chew on: a lineup of conferences exploring themes like “the Sahara in Moroccan Cinema” and “the Role of Actors in Southern Morocco’s Cinematic Renaissance.”
And let’s talk about the Sahara’s muse-like qualities. Filmmakers and producers at the event couldn’t stop raving about the infinite creative possibilities the region offers.
Its vastness, its culture, its rich Hassani heritage — it’s all there, waiting for its close-up.
But the festival didn’t just romanticize the region; it got practical. There’s a real need to document Hassani culture, to train local talent, and to make the Sahara more than just a setting for a scene — it should be the star of the show.
The humble documentary was hailed as the ultimate medium for this, given its knack for bringing the real to life.
Said Zribiaa, the president of the festival’s organizing federation, summed it all up beautifully, stating that they dream of making this an annual celebration. A place where the Sahara isn’t just a backdrop but a source of stories that resonate far beyond these dunes.
The festival also tipped its hat to trailblazers like Mouloud Zouhir, the unsung hero of southern Moroccan cinema, and highlighted the triumph of filmmaker Ahmed Bouchekla, who recently won big at London’s Arthouse Film Festival.
As the festival drew to a close with screenings, workshops, and heartfelt exchanges, one thing became evident: the Sahara is ready for its close-up.
And who knows? Maybe the next blockbuster to hit our screens will emerge from the shadows of Laâyoune’s dunes.
Because in the end, isn’t the best cinema about finding magic in the most unexpected places?
