Ninth Edition of Atlas Workshops Set to Transform Moroccan Cinema in Marrakech
The ninth edition of the Atlas Workshops, a professional platform associated with the Marrakech International Film Festival aimed at fostering the development of Moroccan, Arab, and African cinema, is scheduled to take place from November 22 to 26, 2026. This prestigious event is designed to support emerging filmmakers and enhance the cinematic landscape in the region.
This year, 30 projects and films from 14 countries were selected from a total of 410 submissions, showcasing the growing interest in this initiative among filmmakers in the region. The selected works represent a combination of new talents and seasoned directors who have already made their mark on the international stage, reflecting the vibrancy of Moroccan, Arab, and African cinematic creativity. Notably, Brazilian director Kleber Mendonça Filho has been appointed as the godfather of this year's edition.
Kleber Mendonça Filho is recognized as a leading figure in contemporary Brazilian cinema, known for his films such as "Aquarius" (2016) and "Bacurau" (2019), which received the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. His most recent work, "The Secret Agent," won Best Director at Cannes 2025, along with two Golden Globe Awards and four Oscar nominations in 2026. His films are characterized by bold storytelling and a distinct artistic style, aligning perfectly with the spirit of the Atlas Workshops. "I am very pleased to accept this invitation. Listening to new ideas and understanding the aspirations of emerging filmmakers inspires my work. All of this in Marrakech, a captivating city that hosts an exceptional film festival. Last year, during a cinematic lesson I gave at the festival, I was asked if I would shoot a film in this city. Today, as the godfather of the Atlas Workshops, I feel as though I am witnessing the birth of new films before my eyes," says Mendonça Filho.
Selected Projects and Films from 14 Countries
Among the 320 projects in development and 90 films in production or post-production stages, the 30 selected works are categorized into three groups: 14 projects in development, 11 films in production or post-production, and 5 projects under the "Perspectives on the Atlas" section dedicated to Moroccan cinema. These works represent countries including Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ethiopia, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Rwanda, Senegal, Sudan, Syria, and Tunisia.
The development projects include 12 narrative films and 2 documentary films, six of which are first feature-length films. Notable filmmakers involved include Amjad Abu Alala ("You Will Die at Twenty"), Leila Abbas ("Thank You for Dreaming with Us!"), Mariam Benm'Barek ("Sofia" and "Behind Palm Trees"), Sofia Alaoui ("Animalia"), and Yasmin Benkiran ("Queens").
Among the eleven films currently in production or post-production, five are first feature films, four of which previously benefited from the Atlas Workshops during the development stage: "SEASONS OF THE WEARY KIND" by Samuel Ishimwe (Rwanda), selected in 2019; "Eldorado" by Alaeddin Jem (Morocco), selected in 2020; "FAGADAGA" by Euro Mbaye (Senegal), selected in 2022; and "The Children of the Ghoul" by Ismail Iraqi (Morocco), selected in 2023. The return of these works to the workshops at more advanced stages of production underscores the ongoing support provided to filmmakers.
The "Perspectives on the Atlas" section includes five Moroccan projects, comprising four narrative films and one documentary. These selected works explore personal narratives and political upheavals, as well as individual memory and collective history, reflecting the transformations occurring within contemporary societies and showcasing the diversity of narrative styles and creative visions in Moroccan, Arab, and African cinema.
This year's Atlas Workshops will also feature the Atlas platform, which aims to support young Moroccan professionals by providing eight selected producers, four men and four women, out of 30 applications. They will benefit from a program designed to enhance their skills in various aspects of film production through professional meetings and experience exchanges with international professionals.
Moreover, the program will support five Moroccan short films in post-production, selected from 24 submissions. This collection includes four narrative films and one documentary, all of which will receive tailored assistance focusing on their completion and distribution needs.
The Atlas Workshops, launched in 2018, have now become an integral part of the Atlas Programs, which consolidate various professional initiatives of the Marrakech International Film Festival. In addition to the Atlas Workshops and Atlas platform, Atlas Press contributes to the development of film criticism, while Atlas Meetings for Distribution brings together around sixty professionals from Africa, the Arab world, and Europe to enhance professional networking and film circulation. The Atlas Distribution Awards further support this ecosystem by aiding the distribution of cinematic works.
The Atlas Workshops, Atlas platform, and Atlas Meetings for Distribution will be held in Marrakech from November 22 to 26, while the Atlas Press program will run from November 23 to 27, 2026.
As reported by elaph.com.
