In recent years, a new generation of filmmakers has emerged in Morocco. In 2023, their notable presence at the Cannes Film Festival constituted a historical fact. In the Un certain regard section, the documentaryAsmae El Moudir The mother of all lies won the award for directing and packagesFROM Kamal Lazraqjury prize. DesertsFROM Faouzi Bensaïdiwon the audiences of the Quinzaine des filmmakers. What these films have in common is that they started their careers at Ateliers de l’Atlas, an artistic and strategic support program for Moroccan, Arab and African filmmakers, which gives them the opportunity to exchange with regional and international professionals, as part of the Marrakech International Film Festival.
“When Ateliers de l’Atlas were created in 2018, there was a lack of a meeting platform that would allow producers, distributors and programmers from around the world to immerse themselves in what is happening in the region, sharpen their perspective to be able to judge these films strictly and not only for the country they representexplains Rémi Bonhomme, artistic director of the Marrakech Festival, which initiated the system. Filmmakers must be able to express themselves through their works without being forced to add a layer to explain the socio-economic specifics of their country. »
Based on their success, Ateliers de l’Atlas established this year the Atlas Station incubator whose mission is to help ten young Moroccan professionals, selected according to their profiles (not on a specific project) to navigate internationally , both artistically and financially. “It’s important because the country doesn’t have creative producers”notes Hédi Zardi, program manager. Moreover, for about ten years there has been a strong culture of executive production (intended to ensure the material realization of projects) in Morocco, a country that is used to hosting many American shoots in the studios of Ouarzazate. But the production of artistic development does not exist.
“A Date Business”
“I produce my husband’s films and he produces mine, but today we want to open upsays Khaoula Assebab Benomar, filmmaker and women’s rights activist, daughter of a pioneer of Moroccan television fiction. CCM aid fund (Moroccan Cinema Center) it gives us some autonomy, but it makes us a bit lazy… The public is fragile, and we have to be able to give films every chance. Atlas Workshop modules allow us to refine our strategy, understand failures and successes, and above all, not stay in our corner. Here, it’s like we’re at school. »
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