The Marrakech International Film Festival Foundation has officially announced the organization of a new edition of its film criticism training and skills development workshop, set to take place on July 15 and 16 in Casablanca. This initiative is specifically designed for journalists specializing in culture and cinema who are practicing in Morocco.
This workshop is part of the "Atlas" programs, which serve as a comprehensive framework for the professional projects developed by the foundation. The primary goal is to support the new generations of cinema professionals in Morocco, the Arab world, and Africa through training, assistance, and experience exchange.
This upcoming session marks the fifth edition of the workshop since its inception in 2024, with the foundation having previously dedicated two editions to journalists and two others to students of journalism and cinema. This effort is part of the foundation's commitment to fostering a culture of film criticism and providing a platform for discussion, reflection, and the exchange of experiences regarding the reading and analysis of cinematic works.
Since its launch, the workshop has attracted participants from various Moroccan media outlets, offering them the opportunity to delve into issues of film analysis, critical writing, and interview techniques with filmmakers through a series of practical exercises and interactive workshops.
This edition will be led by renowned French film critic Charles Tesson, who is considered one of the foremost figures in the field of film criticism. Tesson has previously served as the editor-in-chief of "Cahiers du Cinéma" from 1998 to 2003 and held the position of general delegate for the "Critics' Week" at the Cannes Film Festival from 2012 to 2021. Additionally, he has worked as a professor of film history at the New Sorbonne University – Paris III.
The workshop's agenda for the first day includes topics related to the history, ethics, and functions of film criticism, as well as an analysis of critical texts concerning a cinematic work. The second day will feature the screening of a feature film followed by an applied discussion focusing on film analysis and critical writing, in addition to addressing the methodology of conducting journalistic interviews and organizing a special workshop on writing.
The foundation has confirmed that participation in the workshop is free, although the number of seats is limited. The sessions will be conducted in both Arabic and French, with simultaneous translation provided.
Interested participants are required to be professional journalists currently working in Morocco and must possess a professional press card. The application process will remain open until June 26, 2026, via the official website of the Marrakech International Film Festival Foundation.
As reported by alyaoum24.com.
