Unveiling the 17th Edition of FIDADOC
The 17th edition of the International Documentary Film Festival (FIDADOC) commenced on Friday evening in Agadir, showcasing a vibrant gathering of cultural and artistic personalities. Organized by the Association for Culture and Education through Audiovisual (ACEA), this year's festival is scheduled to run from June 19 to June 24, offering documentary cinema enthusiasts the opportunity to view a curated selection of 28 films from 16 different countries, all presented by their creators and featured subjects.
During the opening ceremony, FIDADOC President Hind Saïh emphasized the exceptional quality of this year's programming, noting that the selected films serve as vital tools for understanding contemporary issues. She articulated the festival's mission to support Moroccan and African filmmakers since its inception, asserting that documentaries provide an essential platform for reflection, dialogue, and freedom of expression.
A Hub for Cultural Exchange and Insight
Hicham Falah, the festival's General Delegate and Artistic Director, elaborated on the cinematic event's goals, expressing the ambition to restore the rightful place of documentary cinema within the Moroccan film landscape. He highlighted how this mission has surpassed initial expectations, with documentaries gaining increasing visibility on both national and international stages. Falah also outlined the emotional depth and relevant themes presented in this year's films, which resonate with audiences and provoke meaningful discussions.
Saadia Akerdousse, Vice President of the Souss Massa Regional Council, referred to FIDADOC as a significant cultural event in both the national and international film landscapes. She praised its contribution to enhancing Agadir's cultural prominence, promoting visual culture, and raising awareness among younger generations about audiovisual arts. Akerdousse reiterated the role of documentaries in fostering profound reflection and sparking debates around pressing human, social, cultural, and environmental issues.
The festival's opening night was marked by the Moroccan premiere of Jérôme Le Maire's new film, "Du Soleil et du plomb," filmed near Midelt. The international competition for FIDADOC 2026 features nine documentary feature films, which will be evaluated by a jury comprising filmmakers Karima Saïdi (Morocco-Belgium), Nelson Makengo (DR Congo), and Aurélie Sfez (France). Three awards will be presented: the "Grand Prix Nouzha Drissi," the "Special Jury Prize," and the "Best First Work Award."
In partnership with the Institute of Africa (IdAf), the 2026 edition of the festival will celebrate the centenary of the birth of Youssef Chahine with screenings of restored films, including "Cairo as Told by Youssef Chahine," presented by Marianne Khoury. The celebration will also feature a DJ set inspired by the music from Chahine's films and an immersive audio experience exploring the life and work of this prominent figure in Arab and African cinema.
Additionally, in collaboration with Lieux Fictifs and the National Center for Plastic Arts, the festival will present 11 short films by female artists from the Mediterranean, selected by students from the École des Beaux-Arts in Marseille and inmates from the Baumettes prison. FIDADOC remains a critical meeting point for aspiring filmmakers looking to write, direct, produce, or distribute documentaries in Morocco, facilitated by the documentary hive that has been nurturing a new generation of filmmakers from Morocco, neighboring African countries, and their diasporas since 2012.
Moreover, the professional days of FIDADOC will provide a platform for around twenty emerging authors to present their projects to a panel of Moroccan and foreign professionals, who have gathered in Agadir to discover the current and future talents of African documentary filmmaking.
As reported by maroc24.com.
