Strong Moroccan Presence at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival
Morocco is making a prominent appearance at the 82nd edition of the Venice International Film Festival (August 27 – September 6), particularly through the “Production Bridge” program, where the Kingdom has been invited as Guest of Honor for the very first time in its history. This distinction reflects the vitality and growing influence of the national film industry.
On this occasion, the Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, officially launched Morocco’s participation on Friday evening during a reception dedicated to film professionals. The Minister praised the current momentum of Moroccan cinema and its international recognition, reaffirming his department’s commitment to further supporting and promoting this dynamism.
The Moroccan presence is coordinated by the Moroccan Cinema Center (CCM), which views this event as a global showcase to consolidate Morocco’s position as a true land of cinema. Its director, Mohamed Rezzouki Benjelloun, emphasized that this participation is part of the vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, who regards cinema as a driver of cultural influence and economic development.
The Venice Festival thus serves as a privileged international platform to highlight the diversity and creativity of Moroccan cinema, while strengthening cooperation opportunities with global industry players.
To enhance the Kingdom’s appeal as a film destination, the CCM has organized three round tables bringing together Moroccan and international producers. Among them, a key session titled “Incentives and Opportunities through the Cash Rebate System” highlighted the advantages of Morocco’s 30 percent reimbursement scheme for foreign productions filmed in the country, as well as the logistical strengths that make Morocco a preferred choice for major international projects.
Moderated by renowned producer Khadija Alami, a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, this session showcased showreels and excerpts from international films shot in Morocco thanks to this incentive system.
Producer Karim Debbagh, whose company was the first to benefit from the cash rebate, stressed that the impact of this program goes far beyond cinema: “It is not only a tool to support film production, but a genuine driver of job creation and economic growth.”
For her part, producer Meryem Abounabhaoui underlined Morocco’s uniqueness as a filming destination: “The Kingdom is not just a backdrop, it is a complete experience. Here, films are not only shot… they are lived.”
Morocco’s participation in the Venice Film Festival thus confirms the rise of its national cinema and its clear ambition to shine beyond borders.
Editorial team/le7tv
