The ceremony, which brought together German, Moroccan and international professionals representing all segments of the film industry, provided an opportunity to celebrate Morocco’s distinction as the first African country selected as “Country in Focus” at the EFM, the global meeting place of the film industry and a flagship event of the Berlinale.
Producers, directors, screenwriters, actors and international distributors took part in the ceremony held at the iconic Gropius Bau in the German capital, where they met with their Moroccan counterparts to present their respective works and explore new co-production opportunities.
The event was marked by the presence of several prominent figures of the German film industry, including Berlinale Director Tricia Tuttle and EFM Director Tanja Meissner, alongside Morocco’s Ambassador to Germany, Zohour Alaoui, the Director of the Moroccan Cinema Center, Reda Benjelloun, and the Secretary General of the Communication Department, Abdelaziz El Bouzdaini.
On this occasion, Ms. Meissner stressed that the choice of Morocco as “Country in Focus” was a natural one, as the Kingdom is asserting itself as a “dynamic bridge between Africa, the Arab world and Europe” and as a strategic hub for international film production.
The Director of the Berlinale’s professional and B2B segment also highlighted the quality of Morocco’s infrastructure, its openness to international cooperation and the attractiveness of its production environment, considering that this combination fully justifies placing Morocco in the spotlight at the European Film Market.
For her part, Ms. Tuttle welcomed Morocco’s participation, expressing her “deep appreciation to all the partners who contribute each year to the success of the event, and particularly to Morocco, the country in the spotlight this year”.
She further noted that this edition should enable Moroccan participants to conclude agreements with international partners, forge new collaborations, explore international projects and promote national productions to market stakeholders.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. El Bouzdaini stated that cinema in Morocco is part of a historical continuity that has enabled the emergence of a genuine national film ecosystem, alongside a broader dynamic that places culture at the heart of development.
In this context, he pointed out that Morocco has internationally renowned schools, highly qualified producers and technicians, globally recognized festivals, as well as sustained production across all genres, noting that the Moroccan films and projects selected in Berlin reflect this momentum.
Mr. El Bouzdaini also emphasized that the Kingdom intends, through the vitality of its arts and artists, to carry the voice and vision of the entire African continent and to contribute to the building of a united humanity that respects diversity.
Morocco’s presence in Berlin, a capital of cinema for more than a century, reflects the Kingdom’s determination to promote a new North-South dialogue and to foster artistic, economic and industrial cooperation based on “shared dreams and imaginaries”, he noted.
Morocco’s participation in the European Film Market, scheduled from February 12 to 18, will highlight the national co-production and financing mechanisms of the Moroccan Cinema Center, as well as the Kingdom’s expertise in international filming, as Morocco is now among the preferred destinations for foreign productions.
Comprising established producers and a new generation of professionals, the Moroccan delegation will present fiction films, documentaries, series and projects in development, some of which are in post-production, with the aim of strengthening co-productions and international partnerships.
On the sidelines of the EFM, professional meetings and round tables will bring together Moroccan and German stakeholders in the sector with a view to future collaborations.
In addition, the film The Mirage (1979) by Ahmed Bouanani has been selected for the “Berlinale Classics” section, dedicated to restored heritage works, where it will be screened in a newly restored version as a world premiere.
Editorial team/le7tv