Brazilian Filmmaker Takes Center Stage at Marrakech Film Festival
Renowned Brazilian filmmaker Kleber Mendonça Filho, celebrated for his acclaimed work on films such as “The Secret Agent,” is set to become the patron and mentor for the 9th edition of the Atlas Workshops, an esteemed professional platform of the Marrakech Film Festival dedicated to the flourishing of Moroccan, Arab, and African cinema. This year’s workshops will unfold in the culturally rich city of Marrakech from November 22 to 26, offering an invaluable opportunity for emerging filmmakers to gain insights and guidance from a master in the field.
Mendonça Filho has made significant waves on the international film stage with notable works like “Neighboring Sounds” (2012), “Aquarius” (2016), and the award-winning “Bacurau on the Map” (2019), which earned him the Jury Prize at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. His latest film, “The Secret Agent” (2025), not only garnered the best director award at Cannes but also triumphed with two Golden Globes and received four nominations at the Academy Awards this year. In his own words, Mendonça Filho expressed the profound inspiration he derives from engaging with new ideas and understanding the aspirations of emerging filmmakers, stating, “Listening to new ideas and understanding the aspirations of new generations of filmmakers is a source of inspiration for my own work.” He further emphasized the enchantment of Marrakech, a city steeped in cinematic history, as a fitting backdrop to witness the genesis of new films.
Celebrating Diverse Cinematic Talent
This year’s Atlas Workshops boasts a selection of 30 projects and films, meticulously chosen from a pool of 320 projects in development and 90 films in production or post-production. These projects are categorized into three distinct groups, including 14 projects in development, 11 films in production or post-production, and five projects featured in the Atlas Close-Ups section, which focuses on Moroccan cinema. Representing a mosaic of cultures and narratives, the selected projects hail from 14 countries including Algeria, Cabo Verde, Egypt, Ethiopia, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Rwanda, Senegal, Sudan, Syria, and Tunisia.
The development projects comprise 12 fiction films and two documentaries, with six debut feature-length films emerging from this diverse lineup. Prominent filmmakers such as Amjad Abu Alala (“You Will Die at Twenty”), Laila Abbas (“Thank You for Banking With Us”), Meryem Benm’Barek (“Sofia,” “Behind the Palm Trees”), Sofia Alaoui (“Animalia”), and Yasmine Benkiran (“Queens”) are among those leading these noteworthy endeavors.
Among the 11 films in production or post-production, notable titles include “Eldorado” directed by Alaa Eddine Aljem from Morocco and “Seasons of the Weary Kind” by Rwandan filmmaker Samuel Ishimwe, both of which received development support from the Atlas Workshops, showcasing the program’s commitment to nurturing talent across the region. The Atlas Close-Ups program also features five Moroccan projects, enriching the local cinematic landscape with diverse narratives and perspectives.
In addition to the workshops, the Atlas Station initiative aims to support young Moroccan professionals by facilitating professional development opportunities. This year, eight filmmakers have been selected from a competitive group of 30 applicants to engage in a program designed to enhance their skills in various aspects of film production.
The Atlas Workshops, Atlas Station, and Atlas Distribution Meetings will take place in Marrakech from November 22 to 26, while the Atlas Press program will run from November 23 to 27, further contributing to the vibrant film ecosystem in Morocco. With the Atlas Workshops continuing to uphold its mission of supporting Moroccan, Arab, and African cinema, this year's edition promises to be a significant chapter in the festival's history.
As reported by variety.com.
