Moroccan Cinema Booms with MAD 1.8 Billion Investment in 2025

Rabat – Morocco’s film industry recorded one of its strongest years in 2025, with total cinema-related investments reaching nearly MAD 1.8 billion ($180 million), driven by a surge in international productions, sustained local filmmaking activity, rising box-office performance, and increased public support.

According to the annual report released by the Moroccan Cinematographic Center (CCM), foreign productions injected MAD 1.21 billion ($121 million) into the national economy, while Moroccan productions generated MAD 596.48 million ($59.6 million) in investment.

The figures reinforce Morocco’s position as one of the most competitive filming destinations in the region, supported by its landscapes, infrastructure, experienced crews and the country’s Cash Rebate incentive program for international productions.

International productions drive record investment

Foreign shoots remained a major economic driver in 2025, with international productions investing more than MAD 1 billion ($100 million) in Morocco.

Among the biggest projects filmed in the Kingdom was Christopher Nolan’s “Charlie’s Tale,” which generated more than MAD 252 million ($25.2 million) in investment.

It was followed by the American series “UNT Merc” with MAD 234.3 million ($23.4 million), season two of “The Terminal List” with MAD 156.9 million ($15.7 million), season two of “The Agency” with MAD 113.9 million ($11.4 million), and Fernando Meirelles’ “Here Comes the Flood” with MAD 42.7 million ($4.3 million).

Morocco also welcomed productions from France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Japan, Germany, Hungary, the United Arab Emirates and the United States, highlighting the growing diversity of its international partnerships.

National cinema delivers 26 feature films

Moroccan filmmakers completed 26 fiction feature films in 2025, including titles such as Afef Ben Mahmoud and Khalil Benkirane’s “Backstage,” Anouar Moatassim’s “Atoman,” Ahmed Boulane’s “Casablanca-Dakar,” Maryam Touzani’s “Calle Malaga,” Abdeslam Kelai’s “Sonate Nocturne,” Mohammed Ahed Bensouda’s L’Hymne des amoureux,” Driss Chouika’s “Algues amères” and Sanaa Akroud’s “Les Commandements.”

The sector continued to show a strong independent production dynamic, with 54% of completed feature films produced without support from the public aid fund, compared with 46% receiving state backing.

Beyond feature films, Morocco’s audiovisual industry recorded significant activity in 2025, including:

34 feature films
104 short films
20 Saharan documentaries
22 television series
16 TV films
7 TV dramas
2 sitcoms
20 institutional films
116 authorized advertising spots

These activities represented a total investment of MAD 651 million ($65.1 million), including MAD 596.5 million ($59.6 million) directly contributed by producers.

Public funding strengthens local filmmaking

The Moroccan Cinematographic Center’s production support fund allocated MAD 73.5 million ($7.35 million) to 84 projects in 2025.

Feature films before production received the largest share, with more than MAD 53.6 million ($5.36 million) in support. The fund also backed short films, scriptwriting and rewriting initiatives, as well as documentaries focusing on culture, history and the Hassani Saharan heritage.

Moroccan films dominate local box office rankings

Cinema attendance and local film performance were among the year’s highlights, with Moroccan productions gaining stronger traction among audiences.

The country’s top 30 box-office rankings showed a strong presence of domestic titles, led by:

“My Friend” by Raouf Sebbah – 262,929 admissions
“Routini” by Lotfi Aït Jaoui – 186,086 admissions
“Les Imposteurs” by Hicham El Jebari – 111,838 admissions
“Casa Guira” by Omar Lotfi – 103,958 admissions

The four Moroccan films outperformed major international releases in the country, including” F1: The Movie,” “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” and “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.”

The CCM report highlighted improvements in overall cinema attendance, monthly audience trends, revenue distribution by film nationality and the growing market share of Moroccan productions.

A sector moving toward greater professionalization

The industry also continued to expand its professional base in 2025.

The CCM issued 257 professional identity cards to cinema workers, mainly in production and directing fields, while 516 professionals registered as trainees across various cinema professions.

The report also highlighted the modernization of cinema venues, support programs for theaters, international festival participation and awards won by Moroccan films abroad, indicators reflecting the country’s growing influence on the global film stage.