Morocco has been selected as the \u201cCountry in Focus\u201d for the 76th European Film Market (EFM), scheduled to take place from February 12 to 18, 2026, as part of the Berlin International Film Festival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Market organizers described Morocco as a dynamic bridge between Africa, the Arab world, and Europe, noting that its rich cinematic heritage, acclaimed filmmakers, and thriving creative scene have long positioned it as a major contributor to global cinema. Morocco\u2019s participation in the Berlinale stretches back decades, with its stories and talent regularly featured in festival and market programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since its launch in 2017, the EFM\u2019s \u201cCountry in Focus\u201d initiative has showcased key film regions worldwide to promote cross-cultural exchange and industry partnerships. Following Mexico, Canada, Norway, Chile, the Baltic States, Italy, and Spain, the 2026 edition will highlight Morocco\u2019s cinema sector, aiming to expand cooperation among producers, distributors, investors, and creators across genres, including drama, documentary, and animation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Festival Director Tricia Tuttle underlined Moroccan cinema as having \u201ca proud history of storytelling that resonates far beyond its borders.\u201d She noted that filmmakers such as Nabil Ayouch, Faouzi Bensa\u00efdi, Asmae El Moudir, Halima Ouardiri, and Maryam Touzani, alongside a new generation of directors, bring \u201cdistinctive perspectives to the Berlinale and to festivals worldwide.\u201d Their work, she added, \u201cdraws on deep cultural roots while addressing contemporary issues with originality and power.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Morocco has also emerged as an attractive hub for international film production, offering diverse natural and urban settings\u2014from the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert to the historic cities of Marrakech, Ouarzazate, and Casablanca. The country\u2019s film sector benefits from a 30-percent cash rebate for foreign productions, official co-production agreements, and development initiatives such as \u201cAteliers de l\u2019Atlas,\u201d which support Moroccan and regional talent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Berlinale Pro Director Tanja Meissner emphasized that the Moroccan film and media landscape \u201chas reached a new level of international visibility,\u201d combining a strong national cinema with openness to global collaboration. She pointed to the country\u2019s \u201chigh production value, skilled professionals, and distinctive locations,\u201d which have made Morocco \u201cone of the most compelling focus countries in recent years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Centre Cin\u00e9matographique Marocain (CCM) Director Mohammad-Reda Benjelloun highlighted Morocco as \u201ca land of history and storytellers,\u201d adding that its skilled professionals and vibrant energy have secured \u201ca prominent place on the world cinema map.\u201d He called the Berlinale recognition \u201ca testament to how culture and coexistence nurture an art form and a language that have become truly universal: cinema.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Credit: Independent journalist and reporter Mansour Jahani<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Morocco has been selected as the \u201cCountry in Focus\u201d for the 76th European Film Market (EFM), scheduled to take place from February 12 to 18,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3120,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[141,62,4,7,354],"tags":[133,374,375,376,41],"class_list":["post-3119","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-art","category-europe","category-international","category-mena","category-morocco","tag-europe","tag-film-awards","tag-film-festival","tag-films","tag-morocco"],"yoast_head":"\n