Morocco’s film scene is getting a serious boost. The Moroccan Cinema Center (CCM) has just committed over $677,000 million in funding to support 29 different film festivals from Casablanca to Tetouan and everywhere in between.
The decision followed a two-day marathon of presentations by festival organisers in Rabat on April 3 and 4. A panel led by Khadija Alami El Alaoui — joined by a team of seasoned cinema professionals — carefully reviewed 31 funding proposals before greenlighting the final 29.
The 30th edition of the Tetouan Mediterranean Film Festival received the biggest grant, $130,000. The 25th Khouribga African Cinema Festival is behind it, locked in $120,000.
For animation lovers, the International Animation Film Festival in Meknes has received $60,000 in support. The 13th Dakhla International Film Festival received $70,000, while the Casablanca Independent Cinema Festival and the Casablanca Arab Film Festival were awarded $30,000 and $25,000, respectively. Smaller festivals like the Assa National Desert Film Festival (US$20,000) and Camera Kids in Rabat ($12,000) found themselves on the funding roster.
Festivals in Al Hoceima, Oujda, Tangier, and Tifrouine didn’t go unnoticed either—each received between $8,000 and $10,000, with several other events earning support in the $5,000–$6,000 range.
The CCM’s funding isn’t just about putting on a good show. It’s about nurturing Morocco’s rich cinematic culture, investing in local creativity, and making sure that even grassroots film events have the means to inspire. From big-name festivals to small-town showcases, this move signals a strong push to celebrate storytelling in all its forms.
Morocco is ready to release films that celebrate cultural diversity and encourage education through cinema, including a nationwide celebration of film.
