Marrakech – Last year was a game-changer for Moroccan cinema, with record-breaking production numbers, box office hits, and shiny new infrastructure.
The Moroccan Cinematographic Center (CCM) is rolling out the red carpet for a year that put Moroccan film on the global map.
According to CCM, a record-breaking 34 Moroccan films hit the screens this year, reflecting the growing dynamism and creative vibrancy of the national film scene.
But Moroccan cinema isn’t just making films; it’s raking in the cash too.
This year, national movies have given foreign productions a run for their money at the box office.
The comedy movie “Made in Morocco” has always been a crowd-pleaser, and 2023 proved it’s still king of the screen, the CCM statement noted.
Leading the charge, “Dados” dazzled with a staggering 8,706,829 dirhams, while “Houma li bqaw: jouj” followed with 4,929,587 dirhams.
“Nayda” and “Ana machi Ana” snagged fourth and fifth spots, respectively.
Foreign films also made a splash in Morocco this year, with American hits like “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” pulling in 4,879,094 dirhams and 3,962,641 dirhams each.
Still, homegrown films, particularly the work of Moroccan director and screenwriter Abdelouahed Mjahed, managed to top the national box office in 2023.
Despite the local film scene’s impressive showing, American cinema ultimately reigns supreme in Morocco.
With 85 American films gracing the screens, capturing 791,966 admissions (46% of the market) and raking in 41 million dirhams, Hollywood continues to outshine Moroccan productions, which pulled in around 32 million dirhams, holding 35% of the market share.
Meanwhile, French, Indian, and Egyptian films barely make a dent, accounting for less than 11% of the market by year’s end.
The year 2023 saw a dramatic surge in foreign investments, with a record-breaking 1.14 billion dirhams flowing into Moroccan film productions.
It’s the highest amount since 2015, showcasing Morocco’s allure as a top destination for international shoots.
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In 2023, Morocco’s film infrastructure saw a major comeback, mirroring the sector’s creative buzz.
Back in 2008, the kingdom had 95 active cinema screens, but numbers plummeted to a low of 57 between 2013 and 2015.
Thanks to CCM’s support and investments in upgrading and digitizing theaters, the count rebounded to 81 screens this year.
Meanwhile, the sector’s support fund skyrocketed from 4.95 million dirhams in 2013 to a whopping 28.50 million in 2023.
In 2023, the Moroccan cinema scene was dominated with an iron grip by Megarama, capturing a staggering 82.4% of the market.
With six complexes across five cities and a total seating capacity of 11,324, Megarama raked in an impressive 73,685,954 dirhams, solidifying its top spot.
The competition is trailing far behind, with Cineatlas holding just 7% of the market and Pathe Californie Casablanca lagging at 2.1%.
The CCM reports a promising rebound in cinema attendance, nearly hitting pre-pandemic levels.
In 2023, Moroccan box office numbers surged to 1,722,796 admissions, up from 1,485,166 in 2022 and a mere 663,604 in 2021.
This is a clear sign that audiences are flocking back to the big screen, inching ever closer to a full recovery.
