Moroccan cinema will be represented by three feature films at the 26th edition of the Rotterdam Arab Film Festival (RAFF), scheduled to take place from June 10 to 14.
The Moroccan films were selected as part of a program bringing together around thirty works from various countries, offering an overview of the richness of contemporary Arab cinema and illustrating the cultural interactions between the Arab world, Africa, and the West.
“Heir to Secrets”, the third feature film by Mohamed Nadif, will kick off Morocco’s participation. This Moroccan-Quebec co-production, loosely adapted from a novel by writer Fatiha Morchid, offers an introspective journey into human intimacy through the complex relationship between a father and his son.
Moroccan cinema will also be represented by “Goundafa, the Cursed Song”, the debut feature film by director Ali Benjelloun. Set in a village in the High Atlas Mountains, the film explores the tensions sparked by the arrival of a strict imam within an Amazigh community where music is a central element of collective identity.
Presented as a reflection on the conflicts between local traditions, religious conservatism, and external influences, the movie pays tribute to Amazigh culture and highlights the social fractures caused by certain rigid interpretations of religion.
“Mira” by Nour-Eddine Lakhmari completes Morocco’s participation. The feature film tells the story of a thirteen-year-old girl living in a village in the Middle Atlas Mountains, engaged in a quest for freedom against a backdrop of illegal migration and tensions between tradition and emancipation. Through this movie, the director explores his favorite themes, namely identity, freedom, and the condition of women.
Launched in 2000, the Rotterdam Arab Film Festival is one of the leading showcases for Arab cinema in the Netherlands. The 26th edition of RAFF is dedicated to Syria, with a program focused on the impact of conflict, migration, and resilience through film screenings, debates, and cultural projects. It also includes a day dedicated to Palestinian cinema and a special evening centered on women.
RAFF is an open window onto the stories, voices, and talents of North Africa and the Middle East. Every year, it invites audiences to discover bold, dynamic, and innovative cinema that challenges stereotypes.
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