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Morocco's Cinematic Renaissance: Abdelaziz El Bouzdaini Leads the Charge at Venice Film Festival 2024
Under the scorching summer sun of Northern Italy, the Venice Film Festival, known as the Mostra, is in full swing. Among the global cinematic elite gathered on the Lido Island, a prominent Maroccan delegation, led by Abdelaziz El Bouzdaini, Director of the Moroccan Cinematographic Center (CCM), is making waves.
El Bouzdaini, who also serves as the Secretary General of the Department of Communication, has been hailed as a driving force behind the recent surge in Moroccan cinema. His efforts have not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by the significant strides made during his tenure, which began in January 2023. Despite limited financial resources, El Bouzdaini has managed to elevate Moroccan cinema to new heights through strategic lobbying and international collaborations.
On the second day of the festival, August 29, 2024, El Bouzdaini organized a panel discussion featuring four Moroccan production houses. The event aimed to foster international partnerships and secure opportunities for Moroccan cinema. Sources indicate that the discussions were fruitful, with potential agreements in the pipeline.
El Bouzdaini's approach to his role has been markedly different from his predecessors. Rather than seeking public acclaim, he has focused on behind-the-scenes efforts to promote Moroccan cinema globally. This strategy has yielded impressive results, including a historic milestone in 2023 when Morocco generated over one billion dirhams from foreign productions filmed within its borders. The CCM aims to double this figure by the end of 2024, with sources reporting that the first half of the year has already seen revenues exceeding 700 million dirhams.
In June 2024, El Bouzdaini led a delegation to the Annecy International Animated Film Festival in France. Accompanied by representatives from the National Broadcasting and Television Corporation (SNRT), 2M, and several production houses, he facilitated the signing of international agreements in the animation sector. This move positions Morocco as a rising force in the Arab world's animation industry, with expectations that Gulf countries will follow suit in 2025.
Following the conclusion of the Venice Film Festival on September 7, 2024, the CCM will shift its focus to national events. The Tangier Film Festival, scheduled for October 18-26, and the Marrakech Film Festival, from November 29 to December 7, will provide further opportunities for Moroccan cinema to shine. El Bouzdaini's leadership has already resulted in significant achievements, such as the recognition of Moroccan filmmaker Asmae El Moudir at the 2023 Marrakech Film Festival.
As the Venice Film Festival continues, it is clear that El Bouzdaini's dedication and strategic vision are propelling Moroccan cinema to new heights. The industry, under his guidance, is poised for continued growth and international recognition.