Moroccan cinema in the spotlight at the Málaga Film Festival

Saturday 07 March 2026 - 13:30

Moroccan cinema received notable attention at the opening of the Málaga Film Festival, where the feature film Calle Málaga by Moroccan director Maryam Touzani was screened during the inaugural ceremony on Friday evening. The 29th edition of the festival is taking place from March 6 to March 15 in the Spanish city of Málaga, celebrating Spanish-language cinema and international productions linked to Hispanic culture.

The opening ceremony was held at the historic Teatro Cervantes, gathering prominent figures from the cultural and political spheres. Among the attendees were Spain’s Minister of Culture, the mayor of Málaga, the Moroccan ambassador to Spain, and numerous representatives from the film and media industries.

During the event, Maryam Touzani explained that her film blends comedy and drama to portray the complexity of life. According to the director, human experiences often move between laughter and sorrow, reflecting the emotional contrasts that shape everyday life.

The filmmaker revealed that the story of Calle Málaga was inspired by personal memories and feelings of loss following the death of her mother. Writing the script became a way to reconnect with her family history, including memories of her grandmother Juana and her hometown, Tangier, where the street known as Calle Málaga still exists today.

Touzani also highlighted the multicultural identity of Tangier as an important source of inspiration. The city’s historical coexistence of cultures and religions, she noted, represents a form of richness and tolerance that contrasts with the growing divisions seen in many parts of the world.

Marking the director’s first feature film in the Spanish language, Calle Málaga continues her exploration of themes such as memory, identity, and human relationships. The film was shot in Tangier and has already gained international recognition.

It has been selected to represent Morocco in the race for the Academy Awards and has been presented at several major international film events, including the Venice International Film Festival, the Toronto International Film Festival, and the Mar del Plata International Film Festival.

The story follows María Ángeles, a 79-year-old Spanish woman who has lived for decades in Tangier and maintains a deep attachment to her home, shaped by years of cultural coexistence. Her life takes an unexpected turn when her daughter arrives from Madrid with plans to sell the family apartment, creating a conflict between personal memories, family heritage, and present-day realities.

Calle Málaga represents the third feature film by Maryam Touzani, following Adam, which was presented in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival, and The Blue Caftan, which was also screened at Cannes and at the Marrakech International Film Festival. With this new work, the director continues to strengthen her presence on the international cinematic stage while contributing to the growing recognition of Moroccan filmmaking.