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Rabat – Two Moroccan films are set to compete for top honors at the 15th Malmö Arab Film Festival (MAAF) in Sweden, which will be held from April 29 to May 5.
Known for showcasing Arab cinema, the festival will feature a diverse lineup of filmmakers and industry professionals.
Nabil Ayouch’s Everybody Loves Touda will be competing in the official feature film category, which includes 11 films. The movie tells the emotional story of Touda, a young woman with dreams of becoming a “chikha.” Her journey takes an unexpected turn as she faces a series of challenges that alter the course of her life.
The film was chosen by a committee headed by Tariq Khalami of the Moroccan Cinematographic Center, adding to the growing excitement surrounding Morocco’s potential Oscar journey.
Meanwhile, the short film Chikha, directed by Zahoua Raji and Ayoub Layoussifi, will be competing in the short film category alongside 10 other films. Chikha follows Fatine, a 17-year-old girl living in Azemmour with her mother, a chikha, and her grandfather.
Torn between continuing her family’s artistic legacy or pursuing a more conventional life, Fatine’s story explores the cultural and generational tensions within the world of Aïta music.
The Malmö Arab Film Festival has established itself as a key event for Arab cinema in Europe since its inception in 2011. It promotes diversity and cultural understanding through the medium of film. By connecting Nordic and Arab filmmakers, the festival fosters dialogue and collaboration.
In addition to film screenings, the festival offers opportunities for networking and collaboration, with seminars, workshops, and discussions aimed at strengthening co-production and distribution within the film industry.
Producers, funding bodies, and distributors will gather to explore new opportunities for future projects.
