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“Malaga Street” Misses Out on 2026 Oscar Shortlist Despite Being Morocco’s Official Submission
The film “Malaga Street” has been excluded from the shortlist for the 2026 Oscars, despite being officially chosen to represent Morocco in the Best International Feature Film category, as announced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Directed by Maryam Touzani and produced by Nabil Ayouch, the film failed to progress beyond the initial qualifying round, a crucial step before the final nominations. The Moroccan Cinematic Center had nominated it to represent national cinema among a preliminary list of 86 films from around the world, but strong competition hindered its advancement to the next stage.
The initial shortlist showcased a notable presence of Arab cinema, featuring four films: “The Voice of Hind Rjeb” by Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania, “What’s Left of You” by American-Jordanian director Sherine Davids, “Palestine 36” by Palestinian director Annemarie Jacir, and “Cake of the President” by Iraqi director Hassan Hadi.
Set in Tangier, “Malaga Street” follows the elderly Spanish woman María Angeles (74 years old) as she tries to preserve her childhood home after her daughter decides to sell it to overcome a financial crisis. Amidst the struggle, María unexpectedly finds a romantic connection with someone she once considered an adversary.
The film is a co-production between Morocco, France, Spain, Germany, and Belgium, with funding from the Moroccan Cinematic Center, the Spanish Institute of Cinema, and the European Cultural Fund. This work marks Touzani’s third feature film, following “Adam” and “Blue Caftan,” and it is her first film in Spanish. This is also the third time Morocco has been represented at the Oscars.
