The 9th edition of the Atlas Workshops will take place from November 22 to 26, 2026, alongside the prestigious Marrakech International Film Festival, scheduled for November 20 to 28. This year, an impressive selection of 30 projects and films from 14 countries has been chosen from a staggering 410 submissions. The renowned Brazilian filmmaker Kleber Mendonça Filho, acclaimed for his work 'The Secret Agent' which earned him accolades at Cannes, will serve as the patron for this edition, focusing on the development of Moroccan, Arab, and African cinema.
The Atlas Workshops have unveiled their selection for this much-anticipated 9th edition, which is organized as part of the Marrakech International Film Festival. This professional platform is dedicated to supporting Moroccan, Arab, and African filmmakers, bringing together emerging and established directors around projects at various stages of production from November 22 to 26, 2026.
This year's selection includes 30 projects and films from 14 different countries, consisting of 14 projects in development, 11 films currently in production or post-production, and five Moroccan projects featured in the "Views on Atlas" section. The program will be under the patronage of Kleber Mendonça Filho, a significant figure in contemporary cinema, whose career reflects a strong commitment to independent and daring filmmaking.
Kleber Mendonça Filho: A Leading Patron
Kleber Mendonça Filho is an internationally recognized director and screenwriter, celebrated for his films such as 'The Sounds of Recife' (2012), 'Aquarius' (2016), and 'Bacurau' (2019), which won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. His latest film, 'The Secret Agent', was awarded Best Director at Cannes in 2025 and garnered two Golden Globes along with four Oscar nominations in 2026, as reported by festival sources.
In his role as patron, Mendonça Filho sees an opportunity to discover new generations of creators and to enrich his own artistic reflections. He expressed that "being open to new ideas and understanding the aspirations of new generations of filmmakers is a source of inspiration for my own work," while also mentioning his fondness for Marrakech and the festival. He believes this experience will allow him to witness the birth of new films firsthand.
Thirty Projects and Films from Fourteen Countries
The selection features works from Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ethiopia, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Rwanda, Senegal, Sudan, Syria, and Tunisia. Among the 14 projects in development, there are 12 fiction films and two documentaries, including six debut feature films. Several internationally recognized directors are participating, including Amjad Abu Alala, known for 'You Will Die at Twenty', Laila Abbas, director of 'Thank You for Banking With Us', Meryem Benm’Barek, renowned for 'Sofia' and 'Behind the Palms', as well as Sofia Alaoui ('Animalia') and Yasmine Benkiran ('Queens').
The category of films in production or post-production comprises 11 works, including five debut feature films. Four of these had previously received support from the Atlas Workshops during their development: 'Seasons of the Weary Kind' by Samuel Ishimwe, 'Eldorado' by Alaa Eddine Aljem, 'Fagadaga' by Yoro Mbaye, and 'Wolfmother' by Ismaël El Iraki. The return of these films at a more advanced stage of production demonstrates the continuity of support provided by the platform, from the initial stages of a project to its realization.
The "Views on Atlas" section will highlight five Moroccan projects, including four fiction films and one documentary. Through intimate narratives, political upheavals, and explorations of collective memory, the selected works reflect the diversity of storytelling and realities that permeate contemporary societies.
In tandem with this selection, Atlas Station will continue its mission to support young Moroccan cinema professionals. The program will welcome eight producers, four men and four women, selected from 30 applications. They will participate in a development pathway focusing on the various dimensions of film production, facilitated by meetings and exchanges with international professionals. Furthermore, Atlas Station will also support five Moroccan short films in post-production, chosen from 24 applications, including four fictions and one documentary. These films will receive tailored support to meet their needs, particularly for finalization and distribution.
In 2018, the Atlas Workshops became part of Atlas Programs, a comprehensive set of professional initiatives promoted by the Marrakech International Film Festival. Alongside the Atlas Workshops and Atlas Station, Atlas Press supports the development of film criticism, while Atlas Distribution Meetings fosters exchanges among around sixty professionals from Africa, the Arab world, and Europe to facilitate the circulation of films. The initiative also includes Atlas Distribution Awards, aimed at supporting the distribution of works.
Scheduled to take place in Marrakech from November 22 to 26, 2026, the Atlas Workshops, Atlas Station, and Atlas Distribution Meetings will showcase the festival's commitment to strengthening support for talent and fostering the emergence of new works from Moroccan, Arab, and African cinemas, while encouraging international professional collaborations.
As reported by fr.hespress.com.
