Submissions Open for the Amazigh Culture Prize at the 2026 Festival
The Issni N’Ourgh International Amazigh Film Festival (FINIFA) has officially announced the opening of submissions for the National Amazigh Culture Prize for the year 2025. This event is inviting filmmakers of both fiction and documentary films produced in 2025 to participate in this prestigious competition. This initiative is part of the commemoration of the historic speech delivered by His Majesty King Mohammed VI on October 17, 2001, which established Amazigh culture as a fundamental component of national identity. The announcement highlights the ongoing strategic partnership between the Royal Institute of Amazigh Culture (IRCAM) and the festival.
Eligibility and Submission Guidelines
The competition is open to both long and short-format fiction and documentary films. However, only works produced in 2025 are eligible for submission, and the production date must be explicitly mentioned in the credits. Notably, filmmakers who have won the National Amazigh Culture Prize in the cinema category within the last five years are not permitted to submit their works.
Interested filmmakers are required to submit a comprehensive application that includes a written request addressed to the rector of IRCAM, a sworn declaration confirming that the filmmaker has not received any awards in the past five years, a certified copy of their national identity card, a curriculum vitae along with a biography limited to 70 words, and a recent photograph.
Additionally, the application must include a synopsis of the film, its official high-resolution poster, a selection of photographs, five copies of the film on DVD or Blu-ray, and a high-quality electronic link for download or viewing that is accessible without restrictions. Submissions must be made in both physical and electronic formats. Paper applications should be sent to the Issni N’Ourgh Festival Association in Agadir, while digital documents and download links should be emailed.
The deadline for submitting applications is set for August 5, 2026. Any incomplete applications or those submitted after the deadline will be deemed ineligible.
The winners will be recognized during the 17th edition of the Issni N’Ourgh International Amazigh Film Festival, scheduled to take place from October 1 to 5, 2026, at the Sahara Cinema in the Talborjt district of Agadir. Organized in collaboration with the Souss-Massa Regional Council, the Agadir Municipal Council, the Royal Institute of Amazigh Culture (IRCAM), and the Moroccan Cinematographic Center (CCM), this year’s festival will celebrate the theme "Agadir, Capital of Amazigh Culture." According to Rachid Moutchou, the president of the organizing association, FINIFA continues its long-term partnership with IRCAM to promote Amazigh cinema while fostering connections with global cinematographies, aiming to create a space for exchange, dialogue, and tolerance among peoples.
As reported by article19.ma.
