In a festive atmosphere that blended the celebration of cinematic creativity with the evocation of artistic memory and openness to global experiences, the Ahmed Boukmakh Cultural Center in Tangier hosted, on the evening of Wednesday, November 11, 2026, the opening ceremony of the fifteenth edition of the Tangier Film Festival. The event, which continues until November 14, features cinematic works representing diverse cultures and artistic schools.
The ceremony, presented by the festival director, Professor Said Zerbouh, began with a welcoming address highlighting the key points of this edition's program, followed by the national anthem. The occasion also featured a poignant moment of tribute to the late Noureddine Chenkachi, with speeches reflecting on his career and contributions, before a video was screened documenting the artistic and organizational highlights of the previous edition.
In the spirit of fostering a culture of recognition and valuing artistic contributions, the festival dedicated a segment to celebrating two prominent experiences in the cinematic scene. Director and producer Ardis Chouika was honored for his career and contributions to the field. Moroccan actress Farah El Fassi also received a special tribute, accompanied by a video retrospective of her artistic journey, followed by the presentation of an honorary shield and a speech in which she celebrated her path in cinema and television and her presence in the Moroccan artistic scene.
The opening program also included the presentation of films participating in the three international competitions and the introduction of their jury members, in addition to the screening of the film
«Miraya»
as part of the "Films from Tangier" section, which provides a space for cinematic productions linked to the city and seeks to highlight local experiences. The ceremony concluded with a traditional musical performance celebrating the richness of Moroccan cultural heritage and its diverse artistic expressions.
Regarding the official competitions, the programming for this edition reveals the festival's openness to multiple cinematic experiences through works belonging to different cultural backgrounds and artistic schools, reinforcing its international character and providing a space for interaction and the exchange of visions and expertise among filmmakers.
In the International Short Film Competition, thirty-two films representing nineteen countries are competing, including Morocco, Palestine, Egypt, Brazil, Spain, France, China, and Russia. This geographical presence reflects the diversity of themes, visions, and cinematic styles offered by the participating works.
The jury for this competition includes Frenchman Alexis Feraris, director of the Mediterranean Nights Festival; Tunisian Amir Wasea Al-Bal, director of the Cinema Under the Stars Festival in Nabeul; and Oumaima Fidi, Communications Manager at KVA Diffusion, in a lineup that combines professional expertise and diverse cultural backgrounds.
The International Documentary Film Competition features thirteen works addressing humanitarian, social, environmental, and cultural issues, including the film
«Free Fish»
by Palestinian director Bisan Owda, and the film
«Men of God»
by Moroccan director Ikram Azfoud.
This competition is judged by a Moroccan jury including film producer Abdelssalam Miftah, director Rachid Zaki, and poet and writer Ikram Abdi, in a composition that combines cinematic expertise with literary and creative sensibility, allowing for a multi-dimensional critical approach to the competing documentary works.
In the Feature Film Competition, six cinematic works representing Russia, Sudan, Malaysia, China, Morocco, and Tunisia are competing, including the two Moroccan films
«The Ants»
by Yassine Fannai and
«Mira»
by Noureddine Lakhmari.
The task of judging this category was entrusted to an international jury including producer and director of the Dakhla International Festival, Zine El Abidine Charafeddine from Morocco; Portuguese producer Frederico Serra; Omani director Mohammed Al-Ajmi; and Moroccan screenwriter and journalist Said Nafea. This composition reflects a diversity of disciplines and expertise, including production, directing, screenwriting, and media, which enriches the evaluation process of the participating works.
The fifteenth edition of the Tangier Film Festival is organized in partnership with the Moroccan Cinematographic Center, the Wilaya of Tangier, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, the Tangier Commune, and the Hotel El Minzah, as part of a collaboration aimed at supporting cultural and artistic dynamism and enhancing the city's radiance and presence on the national and international cinematic scene.
Through the diversity of its cinematic programming and the richness of its tribute segments, this edition seeks to consolidate the festival's position as a space that transcends the boundaries of artistic competition, combining the celebration of creative experiences, support for local film production, and opening horizons for communication and exchange of expertise between Moroccan filmmakers and their counterparts from around the world.
With the opening of its fifteenth edition, Tangier renews its appointment with the seventh art, confirming its role as a space for cultural dialogue and creative encounter, where the memory of Moroccan cinema meets its future aspirations and opens up to global experiences that make the image a common language for expression and communication between cultures.
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