Nelio Agency and Moroccan Cinematographic Center Triumph in Debut Film Festival

The inaugural Moroccan Cinema Festival, held from 7 to 10 September , marks a significant milestone in the country's cultural landscape. Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, highlighted the event's potential to showcase Morocco's burgeoning film industry during a press conference in Rabat on Wednesday evening.

Following the pre-premiere screening of "On the Margin," a feature film by Moroccan director Jihane El Bahhar, Bensaid emphasized the festival's aim to introduce audiences, particularly youth, to the rich tapestry of Morocco's cinematic offerings. The event, organized by Nelio Agency in collaboration with the Moroccan Cinematographic Center and the Moroccan Chamber of Film Theaters, seeks to meet the expectations of younger audiences while promoting high-quality local productions.

Bensaid called upon industry stakeholders to actively contribute to elevating Moroccan cinema, pushing for financial independence to establish a self-sustaining national film industry. He stressed the importance of revitalizing movie theaters and enhancing their artistic programs to reconnect audiences with these cultural spaces and attract new generations.

"Morocco's film scene, brimming with creative talent including distinguished artists, directors, and screenwriters, requires unified efforts from all actors to propel our cinematic works beyond local and continental boundaries, aiming for recognition at major international festivals," Bensaid stated.

Director Jihane El Bahhar described her dramatic work "On the Margin" as an exploration of social issues through the stories of characters living on society's periphery, aspiring to fulfill their dreams despite adversities. The film stars Aziz Dadas, Majdouline Idrissi, Hind Benjbara, Khalil Oubaaqa, Fatima Zahra Bennacer, and Abdellatif Chaouqi.

El Bahhar explained to the Maghreb Arab Press Agency that she continued her approach of "highlighting characters living on the fringes of society through dark comedy." She noted that this style, unlike caricature, aims not to amuse but to provoke thoughtful reflection on the irony of reality.

The Moroccan Cinema Festival will feature over 50 films screened in various theaters across the kingdom at a unified price. The event will also host several artistic meetings, targeting a diverse audience including students, young cinema enthusiasts, families, industry professionals, and film aficionados.

This festival aims to unite all sector stakeholders, including institutions and distributors, in a collective campaign to promote film culture. It aspires to serve as a platform for discovery and exchange of ideas about cinema in Morocco, potentially shaping the future of the country's film industry.