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Rabat — The Marrakech Short Film Festival wrapped up its fifth edition on the night of September 1, bringing together filmmakers and cinema lovers at the Centre Culturel Les Étoiles de Jamaâ El Fna.
The festival screened competition films before announcing winners across international and national categories.
As international winners took top honors, Rand Beiruty won Best Director in the international competition for “Shadows,” while “Stero” by Tevin Kimathi and Milan Taris took home Best Film and the Nakhil Prize.
Moroccan filmmakers shine
Kenza Tazi’s “Milk Brothers” won Best Film in the national competition, a film that the Toronto International Film Festival also recognized with its excellence award.
Zahoua Raji and Ayoub Layoussifi earned Best Director for “Chikha,” which received awards from La Luna Productions and the Locarno Film Festival.
Nisrine Adam won Best Actress for her role in “Beneath a Mother’s Feet,” which also earned recognition from the Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival.
Mohamed Allali’s “Lady of the Grave” received a special jury mention.
Meanwhile, international film festivals chose their favorites from the lineup. The Alexandria Short Film Festival selected “Mirror To Sell” by Amal Hicham, while La Luna Productions also recognized Salma El Belghiti’s “DarHome.” ZINEBI Bilbao honored all competition films.
Guest of honor Nour-Eddine Lakhmari gave his personal prize to “The Zero Line” by Chaman Ramesh Kishan. The award includes a creative research residency in Morocco, where Kishan will work with Lakhmari to develop future projects.
The festival’s Pitch Your Short program featured Salma El Belghiti with her project “Kanaf.” Gabriel Lavalent won post-production support from Digital Factory for his work.
Looking to 2026
The festival has opened submissions for next year’s edition. In partnership with the Regional Tourism Council of Marrakech, the 2026 festival will focus on films exploring Marrakech’s intangible cultural heritage.
The five-day event reinforced Marrakech’s position as a gathering place for international and Moroccan filmmakers to showcase new work and connect with industry professionals.
