Morocco’s Prince Moulay Rachid said in a statement: “Morocco’s commitment to promoting and supporting young cinematic talent has remained unwavering over the years,” published on the official 21st International Film Festival of Marrakech (FIFM) website, taking place from November 29 to December 7.
Moulay Rachid added that “This dedication has enabled, through various initiatives focused on development and training, to create the Atlas workshops.”
Launched in 2018 by the Festival Foundation to support emerging Moroccan, Arab, and African filmmakers, the program has become a true talent incubator for the region, the Prince noted.
He added that the program had supported hundreds of project holders and fostered the rise of a new generation of filmmakers, including Moroccan Director Asmae El Moudir, who was the first woman in the history of the Kingdom and the Festival, to win the Golden Star in Marrakech. “Her film, The Mother of All Lies,” had previously been supported by the Atlas workshops, where it was awarded twice.
Prince Moulay Rachid highlighted that this experience, which will inspire future generations of cinema enthusiasts, “represents a logical continuation of the evolution of the film industry in Morocco, where the number of films produced in our country increased to 34 last year.”
“In our ongoing efforts to strengthen the national cinematic ecosystem, we have expanded the Atlas workshops program this year by launching, among other initiatives, Atlas Station. “This new initiative targets young Moroccan professionals, helping them develop their skills and open up to the international market,” he added.
Prince Moulay Rachid pointed out that critics and film journalists “are central to our development strategy, as their contribution is essential to the career of a film,” noting that “we have scheduled professional development sessions for these experts to support the growth of our industry.”
Moulay Rachid highlighted the strong artistic programming of this 21st FIFM, which will pay tribute to the late Naïma Elmcherqui, a great figure in Moroccan cinema, two-time Oscar-winning actor and director Sean Penn, and iconic Canadian filmmaker David Cronenberg.
The Moroccan Prince also mentioned that Italian director Luca Guadagnino will preside over the jury. The festival will also feature discussions to bring festival-goers closer to the experiences of leading filmmakers, such as Tim Burton and Alfonso Cuarón.