The sixth edition of the Marrakech Short Film Festival concluded on Wednesday, following an exciting series of events dedicated to the art of short filmmaking. This year, the festival received nearly 400 submissions from 90 different countries, showcasing a diverse array of talent and creativity. The closing ceremony included the announcement of awards for both national and international competitions, as well as a review of the inaugural AMANAR initiative, a new professional platform designed to support Moroccan film projects.
The Marrakech Short Film Festival wrapped up its sixth edition by honoring a range of filmmakers and productions from Morocco and beyond. The festival featured a rich program filled with screenings, networking opportunities, and professional meetings, underlining its commitment to fostering cinematic excellence and collaboration. The final day also marked the conclusion of AMANAR, a professional segment of the festival that provided five Moroccan projects with two days of mentorship from 12 international professionals.
Amanar Development Lab Recognizes Standout Projects
The AMANAR Development Lab was established to facilitate support and pitching sessions for the five selected Moroccan projects. At the end of the program, three projects were awarded distinctions for their outstanding presentations. The project "Fragments of an Ordinary Day," led by Zahra Berrada, won the ZINEBI Industry Award. Additionally, "Unsettled," by Maria Dobli Bennani, received the Atlantis Studios Marrakech Post-Production Award, while "Avant Première," by Saad Benidir, was honored with the AMANAR Award for Best Pitch. This new platform enriches the Marrakech Short Film Festival's offerings by focusing on the development of projects and connecting their creators with industry professionals.
International Accolades for _The Bridge_ and _My Brother My Brother_
The closing ceremony also unveiled the winners of the international competition. The Belarj Award for Best Director went to Italian filmmaker Giacomo Bendotti for his work on "The Bridge." The Nakhil Award for Best Film was awarded to "My Brother My Brother," directed by the Egyptian duo Abderrahmane and Saad Dnewar. The jury also gave a special mention to "The Experiment," directed by Kazakh filmmaker Maxim Akbarov. Furthermore, the Lebanese film "What If They Bomb Us Tonight," directed by Samir Syriani, captured the hearts of the international jury, earning it a special commendation.
Within the national competition, several Moroccan productions and professionals were recognized for their excellence. Sanaa El Alaoui took home the Belarj Award for Best Director for her film "Aïcha." The Behja Award for Best Actor or Actress was awarded to Sandie Tajdine for her performance in "Les Liens invisibles," directed by Aymen Ben Slimane. The Nakhil Award for Best Film went to Yassine Iguenfer for "Two Ways," while Hamza Atifi's film "Phone Breaker" received the jury's national favorite award.
Documentary films were also celebrated, with the Menara Award for Best Documentary going to Eiman Mirghani for "Villa 187." Finally, the festival's favorite award was bestowed upon "Trading Cards" by Radheya Jang, representing Australia.
As reported by lnt.ma.
