Moroccan feature film Autisto, directed by Hicham Ayouch and starring Loubna Abidar, will open in cinemas nationwide on 4 November, moving from the festival circuit to a wider commercial release. Screenings are planned in cities including Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier, Fes, Meknes, Oujda and Marrakech.
The film follows Malika, a mother struggling to care for her autistic son, Adam, while navigating financial hardship, emotional strain and social stigma surrounding autism. Through the family’s experiences, the drama explores the pressures faced by caregivers and the challenges of raising a child in a society where disability can remain misunderstood.
Abidar has described the film as a message of hope, saying its portrayal of difficult social realities is intended to encourage public discussion and change. Her performance brings an established international profile to the project, following her César Award nomination for her role in Nabil Ayouch’s Much Loved.
Autisto premiered in the feature-film section of the 25th National Film Festival in Tangier in October 2025. Moroccan publication Al3omk reported that the Moroccan Cinema Centre contributed 500 million centimes towards production. Filmed in Casablanca, the project reflects Ayouch’s move towards a more realistic style of filmmaking.
The nationwide cinema release gives the film an opportunity to build on its festival exposure and reach audiences beyond specialist screenings. Its focus on disability, family responsibility and social attitudes also distinguishes it within the market for contemporary Moroccan drama.
For Morocco’s film industry, the release highlights the importance of moving locally produced films from festival recognition into commercial distribution. A successful theatrical run could help create further opportunities for the film, including potential acquisition by Arabic-language broadcasters and streaming platforms seeking socially relevant stories grounded in contemporary Moroccan life.
However, international distribution prospects will depend on audience response, sales arrangements and the film’s availability for subsequent licensing. Its November launch marks the next stage in bringing a locally rooted story to a broader audience.
