Shaden Safieddine Tazi's Remarkable Achievement at the Venice Film Festival
On September 12, 2026, the Moroccan filmmaker Shaden Safieddine Tazi achieved a significant milestone in her career by winning the prestigious Orizzonti Award for Best Short Film at the 83rd Venice Film Festival for her poignant work titled "Quelques instants de bonheur" (A Few Moments of Happiness). This recognition marks a remarkable accomplishment for Tazi, who was supported by the Ateliers de l’Atlas program in 2025, further solidifying her presence on the international cinematic stage.
Tazi's acclaimed short film, which runs for 18 minutes, delves into the life of a young director who, after departing from Beirut for Paris, grapples with the emotional turmoil of witnessing Israeli bombings in Lebanon from a distance. The film poignantly captures her daily phone calls with her father and her struggle to document her digital existence amid chaos. Produced collaboratively between France and the United Kingdom, "Quelques instants de bonheur" explores themes of separation and the connections maintained through screens, resonating with audiences on a deeply emotional level.
Pathway to Success: From Marrakech to Venice
The journey that led Tazi to Venice also highlights the importance of professional networking within the film industry. During her participation in the Ateliers de l’Atlas in 2025, she had the opportunity to meet an Italian festival programmer, an encounter that ultimately paved the way for her short film’s selection at the esteemed Mostra. This experience exemplifies how vital connections can significantly impact the careers of emerging filmmakers and facilitate their access to international film festivals.
The Ateliers de l’Atlas, established in 2018 by the Marrakech International Film Festival, aim to nurture a new generation of Moroccan, Arab, and African filmmakers by providing them with essential talent development and opportunities for interactions with global industry professionals. Tazi's recent accolade serves as a concrete illustration of the program’s effectiveness in fostering artistic growth and collaboration within the cinematic community.
As reported by snrtnews.com.
