Casablanca is set to become the epicenter of regional cinema for a week as the 7th Casablanca Arab Film Festival returns from July 17 to 24, 2026. The program features 12 feature films and 17 short films in the official competition, complemented by a panorama section showcasing 13 films out of competition.
The feature film competition brings together 12 fiction and documentary productions from across the Arab world, chosen for their diverse origins and themes. The selected films explore a wide range of subjects, from intimate personal stories to sweeping historical narratives.
Collective memory is at the heart of several entries, including the Palestinian documentary “The Forgotten Uprising 1958″ by Ward Jreici and “Erkala: Gilgamesh’s Dream” by Iraqi director Mohamed Al-Daradji. The growing prominence of Gulf cinema is also reflected in the selection, with Saudi productions such as “A Matter of Life or Death” by Anas Ba-Tahaf and “The Door” (Bab) by Nayla Al Khaja. Morocco is represented in the feature film competition by Yassine Fennane’s “The Ants” and Salem Bilal’s “This Sea Is Mine.”
Seventeen short films in competition
With 17 short films in competition, the section showcases a broad range of creativity and artistic experimentation. The films serve as a calling card for a new generation of filmmakers, addressing social tensions and questions of individual identity.
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Among the most anticipated titles are “My Name Is Amal” by Syrian director Sherwan Haji, “Ambush” by Jordanian filmmaker Yasmina Karajah, and the Saudi-Kuwaiti production “Another Place” directed by Haya Al-Ghanem. Sherwan Haji’s film explores themes of exile and resilience. Morocco is also represented in this category with “Behind Closed Curtains” by Kassem Sakli.
The festival also maintains its out-of-competition section, “Arab Stories,” which this year presents 13 films offering audiences a broader view of contemporary Arab cinema.
The selection includes the acclaimed Egyptian film “Aisha Can’t Fly Away Anymore” by Mourad Mostafa, as well as Moroccan productions “Bitter Algae” by Driss Chouika and the collective film “Cheikha,” directed by Zahoua Raji and Ayoub Layoussifi.
