The 8th edition of the Atlas Workshops, the industry pillar of the Marrakech International Film Festival, concluded Thursday after five days of intensive meetings and development sessions. The event, dedicated to advancing projects from Morocco, the Arab world, and Africa, ran from November 30 to December 4.
This year’s program assembled 350 film professionals from around the globe to focus on 28 selected projects from emerging talents. The lineup included 17 films in development and 11 in production or post-production, originating from 12 different countries.
Participants, which also included 11 filmmakers in the Atlas Station residency and numerous Moroccan professionals, received tailored support through a series of over 185 meetings and workshops. A key component was the co-production market, which facilitated a record-breaking 525 individual meetings between directors, producers, and financiers—the highest number since the initiative’s launch.
“The growth in meetings is a clear indicator of the rising dynamism and professionalization of the regional industry,” said a festival spokesperson.
A bespoke advisory program featured 35 international experts who conducted 90 one-on-one consultations. They provided guidance across all stages of filmmaking, from screenwriting, character development, and cinematography to production, visual effects, editing, music, and distribution strategies.
The Atlas Workshops solidify the Marrakech Festival’s role as a crucial nexus for fostering the next generation of cinematic voices from Africa and the Arab world.
WINNERS OF THE EIGHTH EDITION OF THE ATLAS WORKSHOPS
EX AEQUO – ATLAS POST-PRODUCTION PRIZE (€20,000 each)
DON’T LET THE SUN GO UP ON ME – Asmae El Moudir (Morocco)
produced by Asmae El Moudir (Morocco) and Emma Lepers (France)
LA MÁS DULCE – Laïla Marrakchi (Morocco)
produced by Juliette Schrameck (France), Saïd Hamich Benlarbi (Morocco) and Adrià Monès
Murians (Spain)
ATLAS POST-PRODUCTION PRIZE (€10,000)
GOMA ENOUGH IS ENOUGH – Elisé Sawasawa (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
produced by Marianne Dumoulin (France), Jacques Bidou (France) and Christian Bitwaiki
(Democratic Republic of the Congo)
ATLAS POST-PRODUCTION PRIZE (€10,000)
SAFE EXIT – Mohammed Hammad (Egypt)
produced by Khouloud Saad (Egypt) and Mohammed Hammad (Egypt)
ATLAS DEVELOPMENT PRIZE (€30,000)
CHAPA 100 – Ique Langa (Mozambique)
produced by Sousa Domingos (Mozambique)
ATLAS DEVELOPMENT PRIZE (€20,000)
LES DIEUX DÉLINQUANTS – Boubacar Sangaré (Burkina Faso)
produced by Boubacar Sangaré (Burkina Faso) and Madeline Robert (France)
ATLAS DEVELOPMENT PRIZE (€5,000)
A CHILDHOOD – Scandar Copti (Palestine)
produced by Jiries Copti (Palestine) and Tony Copti (Palestine)
ATLAS DEVELOPMENT PRIZE (€5,000)
VANDA – Kamy Lara (Angola)
produced by Fernanda Polacow (Portugal)
TunisianMonitorOnline (Douha Essaafi)
