Casablanca hosts 7th Arab Film Festival July 17‑24

The 7th edition of the Arab Film Festival takes place in Casablanca from July 17 to 24, 2026. Organized by the Association Imtidad with the support of the Casablanca city council and the Moroccan Cinematographic Center, the festival features a competition of Arab cinema.

A total of 29 films have been selected – 12 feature-length works and 17 short films – representing productions from Morocco, Palestine, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Egypt, Tunisia, Lebanon, Syria, Algeria, Oman, Bahrain, the UAE and other Arab states. Notable entries include "The Untold Intifada 1958" (Palestine), "Sink" (Jordan), "A Matter of Life and Death" (Saudi Arabia) and Moroccan titles such as "Les Fourmis" and "The Orphans’ Lake".

The official jury for the feature competition is headed by Palestinian director Rachid Mesh’hraoui and includes actors and filmmakers from Tunisia, Syria, Egypt and Morocco. The short‑film jury is chaired by Egyptian artist Samah Anouar and includes representatives from Saudi Arabia and Morocco. Awards will be presented for best film, direction, screenplay, acting and special recognitions, aiming to promote new voices and strengthen the international profile of Arab and Moroccan cinema.