Foreign film productions brought MAD 1.21 billion to Morocco in 2025

Un homme se tient au sommet de la Kasbah d'Aït Ben Haddou, où des scènes de la série télévisée à succès HBO «Game of Thrones» ont été filmées, à environ 32 kilomètres au nord-ouest de Ouarzazate, le 27 janvier 2020. 

A man stands atop the Kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou, where scenes from HBO's hit television series Game of Thrones were filmed, about 32 kilometers northwest of Ouarzazate, on Jan. 27, 2020. (Fadel Senna/AFP). Fadel Senna / AFP

Morocco’s film industry reached a milestone in 2025, attracting a record MAD 1.21 billion in foreign production spending. The year also saw the completion of 26 Moroccan feature films, while the domestic box office continued its recovery, led by the success of “My Friend” and “Routini.”

On 28/07/2026 at 15h30

Morocco’s film industry posted strong results in 2025, with record foreign investment, sustained domestic production, stronger box office performance and increased public funding, according to the Moroccan Cinematographic Center’s (CCM) annual report.

The report says Morocco remained a leading destination for international productions. Foreign film shoots generated MAD 1.21 billion in spending, while Moroccan productions invested MAD 596.48 million. Combined investment in film activities reached nearly MAD 1.8 billion, and the Production Support Fund allocated MAD 73.5 million to Moroccan projects.

26 feature films completed

Moroccan filmmakers completed 26 feature films in 2025, including “Backstage” by Afef Ben Mahmoud and Khalil Benkirane, “Atoman” by Anouar Moatassim, “Casablanca-Dakar” by Ahmed Boulane, “Calle Malaga” by Maryam Touzani, “Sonate Nocturne” by Abdeslam Kelai, “The Lovers’ Anthem” by Mohammed Ahed Bensouda, “Bitter Algae” by Driss Chouika, and “The Commandments” by Sanaa Akroud.

Self-financed productions continued to play a major role. Of the 26 completed feature films, 54% were produced without support from the public production fund, while 46% received public financing. Three debut feature films benefited from public funding, while three others were independently produced, reflecting a gradual renewal of Morocco’s filmmaking scene.

Beyond feature films, the sector remained active throughout the year. Authorities authorized 34 feature films, 104 short films, 20 documentaries focusing on Saharan Hassani culture and history, 22 television series, 16 television films, seven serial dramas, two sitcoms, 20 institutional films, and 116 advertising productions. Together, these projects represented MAD 651 million in investment, including MAD 596.5 million.

Public support reaches MAD 73.5 million

The production support fund backed 84 projects with total funding of MAD 73.5 million.

Most of the funding—more than MAD 53.6 million —went to fiction feature films in pre-production. The program also supported short films, screenplay writing and rewriting, and documentaries dedicated to culture, history, and the Hassani Saharan region.

Foreign productions surpass MAD 1 billion

Morocco continued to strengthen its appeal as an international filming destination, with foreign productions investing MAD 1.21 billion in 2025.

Among the largest projects was Christopher Nolan’s "Charlie’s Tale," which spent more than MAD 252 million in Morocco. Other major productions included the U.S. series UNT Merc, with MAD 234.3 million in spending, season two of The Terminal List (MAD 156.9 million), season two of The Agency (MAD 113.9 million), and Here Comes the Flood, directed by Fernando Meirelles, with MAD 42.7 million invested.

Morocco also hosted productions from France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Japan, Germany, Hungary, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States, reflecting an increasingly diversified international client base.

The report attributes part of that appeal to Morocco’s Cash Rebate program, which continues to encourage international productions and strengthen the country’s competitiveness as a filming destination.

Moroccan films drive box office growth

The report identifies theatrical exhibition as one of the year’s strongest performers, pointing to higher cinema attendance and improved commercial results for Moroccan productions.

It analyzes the 30 highest-grossing films, the performance of Moroccan releases, monthly attendance trends, and box office revenue by country of origin, indicating renewed audience interest in movie theaters.

Raouf Sebbahi’s My Friend topped the domestic box office with 262,929 admissions, followed by Lotfi Aït Jaoui’s Routini (186,086), Hicham El Jebari’s The Impostors (111,838), and Omar Lotfi’s Casa Guira (103,958).

All four Moroccan productions outperformed major international releases, including F1 The Movie, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, and Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.

Industry continues to expand

The report also points to continued professionalization across Morocco’s film industry.

In 2025, the CCM issued 257 professional identity cards to cinema professionals, mainly in production and directing, while registering 516 trainees across a wide range of filmmaking professions.

It also highlights developments in cinema infrastructure, programs supporting theater modernization, the participation of Moroccan films in international festivals, and awards won abroad, reflecting the industry’s growing international profile.

By Qods Chabâa
On 28/07/2026 at 15h30