The professional platform, AMANAR, which was initiated as part of the Marrakech Short Film Festival, has officially launched the "Industry Days," marking the commencement of a program aimed at supporting screenwriters, directors, producers, and young professionals in the film industry to develop their projects. The 2026 edition, taking place from September 26 to 30, brings together 12 professionals for two days of meetings, alongside a project development lab dedicated to five Moroccan projects, along with an open session called "Pitch Your Short," aimed at industry professionals.
Organized on September 26 and 27, the "Industry Days" are open to accredited professionals and encompass a journey that spans from screenplay writing and development to production, sales, and festival screenings. The first day particularly focused on the challenges associated with developing African films and finalizing their stages, the true costs of post-production, and the transformations brought about by artificial intelligence. Discussions continued regarding joint production mechanisms in the Arab world, followed by a masterclass dedicated to the international sales of short films.
The day concluded with a presentation about the support provided by the National Center for Cinema and Animated Image in France, alongside a roundtable focusing on joint production with France. The second day revolved around experiences of joint production between the Arab world and Europe, studying two specific projects. It also addressed the writing and production of hybrid films related to exile, culminating in a session dedicated to the mechanisms for selecting films at festivals.
In continuation of the "Industry Days," the "Project Development Lab," set to take place on September 28 and 29, will support five Moroccan projects selected in closed sessions. Within this framework, directors will benefit from guidance provided by five mentors, enhancing their project writing and development before presenting them to industry professionals.
The AMANAR program will reach its peak on September 30 with the "Pitch Your Short" event, where the five directors will present their projects to international producers, distributors, film sellers, and festival programmers, followed by a Q&A session with the professional audience. The best project presentation will receive the "AMANAR Development Award," and the International Documentary and Short Film Festival will invite one project to Bilbao, Spain, in November 2026. Additionally, the Atlantis Marrakech studio will take on the post-production phase of another project.
Alongside this edition, the AMANAR program aims to establish long-term support for young filmmakers and encourage South-South cooperation. In 2027, the five directors will continue their work in Cairo with Egyptian mentors, with the AMANAR team subsequently providing project support for 12 months, facilitating connections with producers and guiding them towards the most suitable development labs and platforms for their projects.
As reported by maroc24.com.
