Moroccan Cinematic Faces Lead the Judging of the National Film Festival in Tangier
The Moroccan Cinematic Center has announced the names of the heads of the judging panels for the twenty-fifth edition of the National Film Festival, set to be held in Tangier from October 17 to 25, 2025, featuring a select group of Moroccan filmmakers.
In an official statement, the center noted that this edition will witness the presence of prominent figures in the cinematic landscape, who will lead four main judging committees representing various competition categories, reflecting the diversity and richness that characterize the national film scene.
At the forefront of these names, director Hakim Belabbas will chair the feature film competition jury. He is one of the most notable Moroccan directors, boasting a rich portfolio of quality works and has twice won the festival’s grand prize for his films “Ashlaa” (2010) and “Araq al-Shita” (2017). Belabbas currently serves as the director of the Higher Institute of Audiovisual and Cinema Professions in Rabat.
Leading the jury for the long documentary films will be director Mohamed El Aboudi, known for his prolific output in the documentary film sector, having produced over thirty works, including the award-winning film “School of Hope,” which garnered the grand prize at the 2022 edition of the festival.
For the short narrative and documentary films category, director Halima El Wardighi has been chosen to lead the judging panel. She is a prominent female figure in Moroccan cinema and has made a mark both locally and internationally, especially after her short documentary “Dogs” won the Crystal Bear and the Special Jury Award at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2020.
Meanwhile, the jury for the school and cinema institute films competition will be headed by director Moulay Tayeb Bouhanane, who trained in cinema and audiovisual media in Paris. His first feature film “Sahari: Peace and Struggle” was released in 2023 and later won the Best Arab Film award at the 2024 Alexandria Mediterranean Film Festival.
The twenty-fifth edition of the National Film Festival in Tangier serves as a vital platform to celebrate Moroccan cinematic creativity, providing a space for the exchange of experiences between generations, and solidifying Morocco’s status as one of the key players in the regional film industry.
