The Workshops
The Atlas Workshops is an industry and talent-development program initiated in 2018 by the Marrakech International Film Festival. Through the Workshops, the Festival works side by side with a new generation of Moroccan, Arab and African filmmakers, and creates a space for exchange between international professionals and regional talents. Each year, the heads of projects receive tailored guidance in consultations with professionals from the international industry who can support the future of their films.
Around this central platform, several programs have been created over the years and these are now integrated under the umbrella Atlas Programs: Atlas Station, Atlas Distribution, and Atlas Press.
The selection of participants follows a call for applications for projects in development and films in post-production by filmmakers from the Arab world or African continent, and who are developing or directing their first, second or third feature-length narrative, documentary or animated film. Participating projects and films are presented in four sections: projects in development, and films in post-production (by Moroccan, Arab and African filmmakers); the Atlas Close-Ups program (reserved for Moroccan projects and films); and Atlas Film Showcase, which provides film programmers and festival directors with a first look at completed works.
Participating projects and films benefit from tailor-made support – with online sessions and in Marrakech - through consultations on scriptwriting, production, distribution, editing, and scoring, according to their individual needs and current stage of production, as well as mentorship through an extensive creative lab. The film teams also compete for cash prizes, decided upon by two juries.
Participating projects and films are presented in the framework of the Co-Production Market, at which filmmakers have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with international professionals in order to find co-producers, sales agents or other partners. In its last edition, the Co-Production Market brought together more than 250 international industry professionals, with more than 491 meetings having taken place.
In early December, the Co-production Market migrates online for an intense day of extra meetings.
The Atlas Workshops opens up space for reflection through a series of round tables and panel discussions in which professionals share their experience and explore contemporary issues related to cinema in the African continent and the Arab world.
In parallel to its main sections, the Atlas Workshops hosts other organisations supporting initiatives that accompany and structure professional networks on the African continent and in the Arab world.
Team
The Selection Committee for projects and films includes
Ali Benzekri, Jihane Bougrine, Sata Cissokho, Rabih El-Khoury, Rym Hachimi, Camille Hébert-Benazet, Sarah Ouazzani, Lucas Rosant, and Hédi Zardi.
Partners
