African Talents Shine at Marrakech’s 7th Atlas Workshops

Share

The 7th edition of the Atlas Workshops, a flagship initiative of the Marrakech International Film Festival, concluded on a celebratory note, highlighting exceptional talent from Africa and the Arab world. Among the winners were Linda Lo, who secured second place in development for her film Lucky Girl, and Egyptian filmmaker Morad Mostafa, who took home the Atlas Prize for post-production with his film Aïsha Can’t Fly.

Lo described Lucky Girl as an autobiographical story told in three parts, exploring themes of immigration. Reflecting on her experience at the workshops, she said, “Winning is wonderful, but the week itself was transformative. The synergy and joy shared among participants were unmatched. I learned so much from hearing about other projects and working with our exceptional mentor.”

Meanwhile, Mostafa’s Aïsha Can’t Fly captures the life of Aïsha, a young Sudanese caregiver navigating her daily journey in a bustling Cairo district. “The film delves into her day-to-day struggles, moving from house to house to care for the elderly. The workshops have been an incredible opportunity to meet industry professionals and gather insights during this crucial post-production phase,” Mostafa shared.African Talents Shine at Marrakech’s 7th Atlas Workshops

Also, read; Kenyan Court Convicts Photographer for Murder of LGBT Activist Edwin Chiloba

The selection process for the 2024 edition received high praise, with jury members and participants applauding the thoughtful curation by Atlas Workshops head Hédi Zardi. “It was a pleasure reading these compelling stories. We focused on welcoming projects at the right stage to benefit most from our support. Our goal was also to foster a dynamic, collaborative group where participants could support and learn from one another,” Zardi explained.

The Atlas Workshops, a dedicated platform for nurturing young African and Arab talents, not only provides mentorship and resources but also awards distribution grants to ensure these films reach audiences across Africa, the Arab world, and beyond. The program underscores the Marrakech International Film Festival’s commitment to elevating regional stories to the global stage, fostering cross-cultural exchanges, and celebrating the diversity of African and Arab cinema

Read more

Local News