Ten films, including two Moroccan ones, are in the running for the official competition in the feature film category, as part of the 17th edition of the Salé International Women’s Film Festival, organized by the Bouregreg Association under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, from September 23 to 28.
These are Indivision (2023) by Moroccan director Leila Kilani, Morocco, “Animal” by Sofia Exarchou, “Tiger Stripes” by Amanda Nell Eu, “Je’vida” by Katja Gauriloff Finland (2023), “Triple A” by Moroccan director Jihane El Bahar (2023), “L’image permanent” by Laura Ferrés, (Spain-France, 2023), indicates a press release from the organizers.
The feature films “Good One” by India Donaldson, United States (2024), “Desert of Namibia* by Yoko Yamanaka Japan (2024), “Langue étrangère” by Claire Burger (France-Germany-Belgium, 2024), “MI Bestia” by Camila Beltrán (Colomble-France, 2024) will also compete in the official competition of the 2024 edition of the festival.
Directed by women, the competing films represent 20 countries from Europe, North America, South America, Africa and Asia. Four films were produced in 2024 and six in 2023.
Regarding documentary films, five works are in official competition, namely “The Empty Grave” by Agnes Lisa Wegner & Cece Mlay, (Germany-Tanzania, 2024), “Pirinha” by Natasha Craveiro, Cape Verde (2024), “L’Homme-Vertige” by Malaury Elol Paisley, (France- 2024), “Lébou” by Ndèye Soukeynatou Diop (Senegal-2024), “Rien sur ma mère” by Latifa Doghri & Salem Trabelsi (Tunisia-2023). One documentary in competition is co-directed by a woman and a man.
For the Young Audience category, the festival selected the Moroccan feature films “Saharı, Slem Wesaa” by Moulay Taleb Bouhanana, “Sound of Berberia” by Tarık El Idrissi, “Reines” by Yasmine Benkiran, “Nayda” by Said Naciri, and “Ana machi ana” by Hicham El Jebbari, as well as the short films “Ayyur” by Zineb Wakrim, “For me” by Intissar El Azharı, “Sur la tombe de mon père” by Jawahine Zentar, “Blessed Hands” by Fatima Bardich, and “What else grows on the palm of your hand?” by Dhiaa Biya.
The jury for the official feature film competition, chaired by Moroccan actress and director Maryam Touzani, includes Ágnes Kocsis from Hungary, Hana Shiha from Egypt, Odile Sankara from Burkina Faso, and Fleur Albert from France. For documentary films, the jury, chaired by Danielle Davie from Lebanon, is composed of Sophie Bachelier from France and Amna Ferhati from Morocco. As for the Young Audience Award, it is composed of director and producer Narjisse Tahiri (President), Israe Tebiche and Doha Bennouls.
The programme for this edition, which has chosen Hungarian cinema as the Guest of Honour, includes an open meeting on “Women in Hakim Noury’s films, from childhood to motherhood”, a round table with Asmae El Moudir, as well as workshops entitled “The other side” addressing parity in cinema.
The International Women’s Film Festival of Salé addresses issues related to women in cinema, according to the organizers, noting that this cinematographic event constitutes an opportunity for filmmakers from various Arab, African and international backgrounds to discuss professional issues, exchange experiences and address issues related to women in cinema.
