Celebrating the Conclusion of the Marrakech Short Film Festival
The curtains closed on the 6th edition of the Marrakech Short Film Festival on Wednesday evening, wrapping up several days dedicated to the art of short filmmaking. This event showcased nearly 400 films from 90 countries, providing a diverse international lineup along with numerous networking opportunities for filmmakers and industry professionals from around the globe. The festival not only highlighted the creative talents of filmmakers but also fostered important discussions and exchanges that enrich the cinematic landscape.
Amanar: Supporting Moroccan Film Projects
The closing day was notably marked by the conclusion of activities for Amanar, the festival's new professional platform. In its inaugural edition, this initiative brought together 12 international professionals over two days to engage with five Moroccan projects during the Development Lab. Following the pitching sessions, three projects were awarded: "Fragments of an Ordinary Day" by Zahra Berrada won the Zinebi Industry Award, while "Unsettled" by Maria Dobli Bennani received the Atlantis Studios Marrakech Post-Production Prize. Additionally, the Amanar Best Pitch Award was given to Saad Benidir's "Avant Première." Festival founder and president Ramia Beladel emphasized that the launch of Amanar marks a significant step in the festival's commitment to supporting Moroccan filmmakers, aiming to assist projects beyond mere presentation, including their development, production, and international distribution, thereby creating bridges between emerging Moroccan directors and global film industry professionals.
The closing ceremony also unveiled the winners of this year's festival. Internationally, the Belarj Award for Best Director was awarded to Giacomo Bendotti for "The Bridge" from Italy. The Nakhil Award for Best Film went to "My Brother My Brother" by Abderrahmane and Saad Dnewar from Egypt. A special mention was given to "The Experiment" by Maxim Akbarov from Kazakhstan, while the Jury's Heart Award distinguished "What If They Bomb Us Tonight" by Samir Syriani from Lebanon.
On the national front, Sanaa El Alaoui received the Belarj Award for Best Director for her film "Aicha." The Behja Award for Best Actor/Actress was awarded to Sandia Tajeddine for her performance in "Les Liens invisibles," directed by Aymen Ben Slimane. The Nakhil Award for Best Film was conferred to "Two Ways" by Yassine Iguenfer, and the Jury’s National Heart Award went to "Phone Breaker" by Hamza Atifi. The Menara Award for Best Documentary was awarded to Eiman Mirghani for "Villa 187," and the Festival's Heart Award was given to "Trading Cards" from Australian filmmaker Radheya Jang. Through this sixth edition, the festival has successfully showcased the diversity of perspectives and narratives within short films while enhancing its professional dimension with the introduction of Amanar. Organized in collaboration with various cultural institutions and stakeholders, the festival continues its mission to connect young Moroccan creators with the international film scene.
As reported by lebrief.ma.
