The Green March Inspires a New Generation of Filmmakers in Morocco
On November 5, 2026, the Moroccan Cinematheque in Rabat hosted the awards ceremony for the 6th edition of the contest 'The Green March as Seen by Young Moroccan Filmmakers'. This event celebrated the creativity of young filmmakers while revisiting the significant historical event of the Green March, which remains a pivotal moment in Morocco's history. The ceremony was graced by the presence of the Minister of Youth, Culture, and Sports, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, who presented the awards to the winners following the screening of their films.
The jury, chaired by the acclaimed director Youssef Britel, praised the unique perspectives offered by the filmmakers on this collective memory and its human stories, aimed at passing down these narratives to younger generations. The first prize, dubbed the 'Hope Prize', was awarded to the film 'El Bareh' ('Yesterday') by Mehdi Massassi. The second prize, known as the 'Special Prize', went to 'Première étape, seule vitesse' by Soufiane Salama, while the third prize was jointly awarded to 'Prise 9', co-directed by Chama Benbella and Jamal Kroudi.
During her acceptance speech, Chama Benbella emphasized the collective nature of the mobilization that took place on November 6, 1975, stating, "The entirety of Morocco marched towards the Sahara, not just the 350,000 men and women who participated." Her words reflect the spirit of unity that characterized this historic event, reinforcing the importance of communal identity.
Minister Bensaid called upon the youth to draw inspiration from this historical memory to fuel their creativity. He elaborated on the contest's purpose, which is to forge a connection between the new generation and the history and memory of the Kingdom of Morocco. This initiative goes beyond mere commemoration; it seeks to generate new narratives surrounding the Green March by showcasing how contemporary youth engage with this heritage.
Highlighting the significance of intergenerational transmission, the Minister noted that the awardees, aged between 20 and 24, have crafted films that resonate with teenagers aged 15 to 17. This visual dialogue is something the ministry aims to support in order to enhance historical awareness among upcoming generations.
As reported by fr.le360.ma.
