Rabat – The Marrakech International Film Festival (FIFM) has announced the 28 projects and films selected for the 8th edition of the Atlas Workshops, set to take place from November 30 to December 4.
This year’s program will be led by acclaimed Romanian filmmaker Cristian Mungiu, a leading figure in European auteur cinema and winner of the 2007 Palme d’Or at Cannes for “4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days”.
Cristian Mungiu, patron of the 2025 edition
Mungiu, whose works such as “Beyond the Hills”, “Graduation”, and “R.M.N.” have earned critical acclaim, described his return to Marrakech as a meaningful opportunity for exchange.
“I am very happy to get back to Marrakech, a vibrant festival that uses the power of cinema to promote and unite people from different corners of the world,” he said in a press statement.
“I believe cinema is a great tool for investigating reality and getting to know the Other despite all stereotypes, and that we should use it as a tool to help us focus on what unites us rather than on differences.”
His appointment as patron aligns with the Atlas Workshops’ mission to foster creative dialogue and elevate the standards of Arab and African cinema.
Expanding the Atlas Programs
Launched in 2018, the Atlas Workshops form the professional heart of the Marrakech International Film Festival. They operate under the broader Atlas Programs, which aim to support Moroccan, Arab, and African filmmakers from the development to the distribution stages of their projects.
Building on last year’s success, the 2025 edition expands its scope with the Atlas Distribution Meetings, a new initiative designed to strengthen regional cooperation.
About 60 distribution professionals from Africa, the Arab world, and Europe will convene in Marrakech to discover films in post-production and foster collaboration across markets.
The Atlas Station program also returns, offering personalized guidance to young Moroccan producers and directors. This year, it introduces a special session for Moroccan filmmakers working on short films, combining mentorship, workshops, and networking opportunities.
A selection of cultural and artistic diversity
This year’s Atlas Workshops will feature 12 projects in development and 10 films in post-production from across the Arab world and Africa, in addition to five Moroccan projects under the Atlas Close-Ups section and one Moroccan feature in the Atlas Film Showcase.
Participating countries include Morocco, Lebanon, Egypt, Palestine, Jordan, Ghana, Mozambique, Tanzania, Burkina Faso, and Yemen. The selection encompasses diverse stories exploring themes such as family, identity, resilience, reconciliation, and the balance between tradition and modernity.
The 2025 lineup brings together established and emerging filmmakers alike. Palestinian directors Scandar Copti and Maha Haj return with new works, alongside Boubacar Sangaré from Burkina Faso and Amjad Al Rasheed from Jordan.
Tanzanian filmmaker Amil Shivji, Egyptian directors Jad Chahine and Mohammed Hammad, and Ghanaian talent Amartei Armar also join this year’s selection.
Lebanese cinema will be well represented with projects from Vatche Boulghourjian, Mounia Akl, Rami Kodeih, and Michèle Tyan, among others.
Morocco’s presence remains strong in 2025, with filmmakers such as Asmae El Moudir, Laïla Marrakchi, Zineb Wakrim, and Basma Rkioui showcasing new works. Director Mohamed Zineddaine will present exclusive footage from his upcoming film “Until Dawn” in the Atlas Film Showcase.
The Atlas Close-Ups section will spotlight five Moroccan features in development, led by Halima Elkhatabi, Reda Lahmouid, Zahoua Raji, Ayoub Layoussifi, Shaden Safieddine Tazi, and Leyna Tahiri.
Complementing the Workshops, the Atlas Station 2025 program will support seven Moroccan producers and four short films currently in post-production, including Barzakh by Kenza Tazi and The Bride of the Rain by Driss Ouaamar.
Through these initiatives, the Marrakech International Film Festival continues to reinforce its commitment to nurturing new voices and building bridges across the global film industry.
Moroccan cinema has always held a distinctive place in the region, marked by the poetic realism and social depth of early filmmakers. Over the decades, it has evolved into a multi-nuanced scene that continues to gain international recognition.
Today, Morocco is emerging as a key destination for regional and global cinema, and offers advanced production infrastructures, diverse landscapes, and a new generation of directors whose works are being screened and awarded at major international festivals.
