# Moroccan film festival updates and Marrakech results

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/moroccan-film-festival-announcements
> Updated: 2026-09-29T22:40:28.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 4.

Major film festivals in Morocco have announced leadership and jury appointments for their upcoming 2026 editions.

In Marrakech, the sixth edition of the Marrakech Short Film Festival, held from September 25 to 30, concluded after showcasing approximately 400 films from 90 countries. The festival featured the debut of ‘Amanar’, a new professional industry platform designed to bridge the gap between local talent and the global film industry. Through its ‘project development laboratory’, Amanar recognized Zahra Barada with the ‘Zinbi’ Industry Award, Maria Doubli Bennani with the post-production award from Atlantis Studios Marrakech, and Saad Benaidir with the Amanar Best Presentation award.

In the international competition, Giacomo Bendotti received the ‘Belarg’ award for Best Director for ‘The Bridge’, while ‘Brother, Brother’ by Abdelrahman and Saad Denwar won the ‘Nakheel’ award for Best Film. National competition winners included Sanaa El Alaoui for Best Director (‘Aisha’) and Yassine Ikefner for Best Film (‘Two Paths’). The national jury was led by president Rachid El Ouali, alongside members Jalila Talemsi and Hicham Brahimi, while Turkish actress Tuba Buyukustun chaired the international jury.

In Tétouan, the Festival de Cinéma Méditerranéen is entering a transition period following the election of Charafat Afailal as the new president of the Foundation; Spanish actress Mónica López will preside over the international jury for the official competition.

Additionally, the tenth Community Cinema Forum in Bir Mezouia, Khouribga province, has named actor Hicham El Wali as jury chair for its late October schedule.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-29: Marrakech Short Film Festival concludes sixth edition

The sixth Marrakech Short Film Festival concluded, featuring 400 films from 90 countries and debuting the Amanar industry platform to support Moroccan filmmakers and international professional connections.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/marrakech-short-film-festival-launches-amanar-industry-program

### 2026-09-24: Rachid El Ouali to lead national jury at Marrakech Short Film Festival

Rachid El Ouali will preside over the national jury at the sixth Marrakech Short Film Festival, held from September 25 to 30, alongside Jalila Talemsi and Hicham Brahimi.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rachid-el-ouali-to-lead-national-jury-at-marrakech-short-film-festival

### 2026-09-14: Hicham El Wali to chair jury for 10th Community Cinema Forum

Actor Hicham El Wali will chair the jury for the 10th Community Cinema Forum in Khouribga, Morocco, featuring seven films competing for major awards.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hicham-el-wali-to-chair-jury-for-10th-community-cinema-forum

### 2026-09-12: Film festivals in Morocco announce new jury chairs

Turkish actress Tuba Buyukustun will lead the Marrakech Short Film Festival jury, while Mónica López will head the jury for the 31st Festival de Cinéma Méditerranéen de Tétouan.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/film-festivals-in-morocco-announce-new-jury-chairs

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Cite as: Moroccan film festival updates and Marrakech results. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/moroccan-film-festival-announcements