The 20th Edition of the Marrakech International Film Festival: Unveiling the Selection for the 6th Edition of the Atlas Workshops

Rabat, November 3, 2023 – As the 20th edition of the Marrakech International Film Festival approaches, the anticipation for the 6th edition of the Atlas Workshops intensifies. Scheduled to take place from November 27 to 30, 2023, in Marrakech, the workshops continue to be a vital platform within the festival’s industry program, playing a crucial role in supporting emerging filmmakers from Morocco, the Arab world, and Africa by showcasing their projects on the international stage.

This year’s Atlas Workshops will feature a diverse array of 16 projects in development and 9 films in various stages of production, chosen from a remarkable pool of 320 submissions originating from the Arab world and the African continent. The increasing number of submissions reflects not only the artistic vitality of the region but also the growing appeal of the Atlas Workshops and the opportunities they present.

The selection for this edition showcases a remarkable diversity of cinematic genres, mirroring the creativity of the directors from the region. From Sandra Tabet’s (Lebanon) foray into horror with “La Rage” to Hind Bensari’s (Morocco) humanistic documentary “Out of School” and Adnane Baraka’s (Morocco) poetic dystopia in “We Don’t Forget,” this year’s lineup promises a cinematic journey encompassing various storytelling forms.

Noteworthy is the participation of 11 female directors, including 4 from Morocco, and 12 female producers, highlighting the increasing presence of women in key creative roles within the film industry.

The Atlas Workshops will introduce audiences to promising new talents with bold visions, such as Leila Basma (Lebanon), whose short film premiered in competition at Venice, and internationally recognized multidisciplinary artist Sammy Baloji (DRC), adapting Pier Paolo Pasolini’s latest screenplay.

Moreover, the workshop will present new projects from filmmakers already recognized on the international stage, including Tunisians Youssef Chebbi and Erige Séhiri, both featured in the Directors’ Fortnight, and Khadar Ayderus Ahmed (Somalia), whose film “La Femme du Fossoyeur” has garnered significant success.

The selected 25 projects and films will benefit from tailored support by consultants in screenplay writing, production, distribution, editing, and music. They will also participate in the Co-Production Market, bringing together nearly 250 accredited international professionals. The workshops will award a total of €126,000 in cash prizes, including the coveted ArteKino Prize.

In addition to the project presentations, the Atlas Workshops will host a series of panels and discussions, including a conversation with Oscar-nominated director Tarik Saleh on his film “La Conspiration du Caire,” which competed at Cannes last year. There will also be discussions on the importance of cinematheques for preserving and disseminating the cinematic heritage of the region, a case study presentation by Sofia Alaoui on her film “Animalia” (Morocco), and insights into the creative significance of special effects in contemporary cinema from Africa and the Middle East.

As part of the Atlas Film Showcase, Moroccan filmmaker Hicham Lasri will unveil excerpts from his uniquely-toned new film, “Happy Lovers.”

This year’s Festival International du Film de Marrakech promises a dynamic and enriching experience, with the Atlas Workshops at its core, fostering the growth and international exposure of diverse voices in the world of cinema. Additionally, nine films previously supported by the Atlas Workshops will be featured in the festival’s main program, further highlighting the impact and success of this vital initiative in supporting the development and production of outstanding films.