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Rabat – Moroccan filmmaker Salma El Belghiti will present her short film Darhome (their home) at this year’s Marrakech Short Film Festival (MSFF). El Belghiti is part of a new generation of Moroccan filmmakers who are exploring authentic voices and real-life struggles through cinema.
Of what inspired her to become a filmmaker, Salma tells Morocco World News that her motivation comes from everyday experiences. “Since I was very young, I’ve always felt the need to express what I carry inside me through my intimate experiences: my attachment to people, to places, my fears, my opinions… my desire to speak out, to denounce, to debate, and above all, to feel free,” she says.
Filmmaking as a venue for freedom and self-reinvention
Cinema has given Salma the freedom to express herself in ways words alone could not. “Being a reserved person, with difficulty expressing myself through words, cinema has given me that freedom of expression,” she explains.
Her journey so far has been a process of learning and experimentation. She has directed three short films, each with a very different style, and she describes each project as “a deeply therapeutic and enriching adventure.” Her goal, she says, is to keep challenging herself and to always make films “with my heart.”
Darhome is a film that tackles the theme of social exclusion in Tangier. The story focuses on a group of young people that Salma met through her work with the association Darna (our home), which supports youth in difficult situations. Over time, she grew close to these young people and became deeply invested in their struggles. “I became closer to their struggles, their suffering, this sense of rejection they carry, stuck in a city that is rapidly developing, in contrast with the growing and risky wave of clandestine migration,” she says.
‘A duty to talk’ about social exclusion
Salma believes speaking about the vulnerable youth of Morocco is a natural extension of her own experiences and identity. “It’s a subject that is very close to my heart as a young Moroccan, and I felt the duty to talk about it, and above all, to keep talking about it,” she says.
Although Salma has addressed the issue of social exclusion in other works, she notes that these young people are still largely unheard. Through her filmmaking, she hopes to offer them a space to express themselves fully, in their own words and through their own stories.
Being selected for the Marrakech Short Film Festival, taking place September 26 and October 1, is a meaningful milestone for Salma. This is her second participation in the festival, and she describes the experience as magical.
She is competing for the festival’s Belarj Prize for Best Director with Darhome, alongside Kenza Tazi with Milk Brother, Mohamed Allali with Lady of the Graves, and Zahoua Raji and Ayoub Layoussifi with Chikha.
“This festival is unlike any other I have attended: it feels like home. You join a big family of cinema and art lovers. Genuine, creative, and inspiring people with a true spirit of sharing and collaboration,” she says.
For her, the festival is not only an opportunity to showcase her film but also a chance to meet new people, exchange ideas, and discover other remarkable films.
MSFF is what home feels like for young filmmakers
Salma also sees the festival as an important platform for supporting emerging Moroccan filmmakers. She notes that many young African filmmakers face significant challenges when starting their careers, and some even give up on their dreams because they haven’t found the right support.
“The MSFF is a true meeting space where we can connect with people who can really help us, expand our networks, and get inspired,” she explains. The festival allows filmmakers to share their work with industry professionals, attend discussions, and be part of a community that motivates and supports one another. “It is essential to feel integrated into the industry, surrounded by the right people, and above all, it strengthens our desire to create and inspires us to go further,” Salma adds.
When asked for advice for emerging Moroccan filmmakers trying to tell authentic stories, Salma opts for humility and a certain acknowledgement that her limited experience does not yet give her the right to pontificate about her art. “I don’t think I’m really in a position to give advice yet, as I am a Moroccan filmmaker who has just started her career,” she says. Yet, she shares a principle that guides her own work: learning to love failure. “If you are afraid to fail, you will never start, or you will only do it halfway, fearing your work won’t be good enough,” she explains.
For her, it is important to experiment, take risks, and “just dive in,” as long as one makes a film with one’s heart. “Even if you fail, it’s still a victory, because the next film will be better.”
Salma also spoke about the importance of collaboration. She believes that filmmaking requires a strong team and a willingness to put aside ego. “You have to embrace a collaborative spirit, ask for help when needed, help others in return, listen, and stay open-minded,” she says.
For Salma, the journey of filmmaking is as much about the people you work with as the stories you tell.
