The 14th edition of the Dakhla International Film Festival will take place from June 6 to June 12, 2026, bringing together filmmakers, actors, producers, and cinema professionals from the Arab world, Africa, Europe, and beyond.
Organized by the Association for Cultural and Artistic Animation of the Southern Provinces, the festival continues strengthening its reputation as one of Morocco’s major cinematic events and a growing platform for cultural exchange and international dialogue.
A Film Festival Connecting Africa, the Arab World, and International Cinema
The Dakhla International Film Festival aims to serve as a dynamic platform for artistic exchange, reflection, and professional networking.
Alongside film screenings, the event will feature:
- Professional meetings
- Roundtable discussions
- Industry networking events
- Cultural debates and exchanges
The 2026 edition will showcase 19 feature films and documentaries representing 21 countries from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and North America.
Feature Films Competing for the Main Awards
Nine films have been selected to compete for:
- The Grand Prix of Dakhla
- The Jury Prize
- Best Actress Award
- Best Actor Award
The selected feature films include:
- Quiproquo by Hamid Basket (Morocco)
- Fragments by Janane Fatine Mohammadi and Abdelilah Zirat (Morocco)
- Happy Birthday by Sarah Goher (Egypt)
- Rabsha by Mohammed Makki (Saudi Arabia)
- Mikoko by Angèle Aquerburu Rabatel (Togo)
- Beyond Illusions by Salif Kone (Ivory Coast)
- Nyamula by Oskar Weimar (Kenya)
- The Gunless Soldier by Joyce Mhango Chavula (Malawi)
- Round 13 by Mohamed Ali Nahdi (Tunisia, Cyprus, Qatar, Saudi Arabia)
International Documentary Competition
The documentary section will feature ten films competing for:
- The Jury Prize
- Best Director Award
The selected documentaries are:
- The Other… Raeburn by David Pierre Fila (Congo)
- Border Life by Mora-Kpai Idrissou (Benin)
- The Man Who Plants Baobabs by Michel K. Zongo (Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast)
- Souraya My Love by Nicolas Khoury (Lebanon, Qatar)
- The Clown of Gaza by Abderrahman Sabah (Palestine, France, Qatar)
- The Big Everything by Aminatou Echard (France, Belgium, Niger)
- Beyond the Genocide by Zion Sulaiman Mukasa Matovu (Rwanda)
- Déchirure by Fouad Souiba (Morocco)
- Memories of Love Returned by N. G. Mbaho Mwine (Uganda, United States)
- The Departure by Mohamed Fadel Joumani (Morocco)
Dakhla Strengthens Its Cultural Positioning
Over the years, the Dakhla International Film Festival has become one of the most important cultural events in southern Morocco.
The festival contributes to promoting:
- Cultural dialogue
- African cinema
- Arab filmmaking
- Emerging international talent
- Creative industries in Morocco
Its location in Dakhla also provides a unique setting combining cinema, desert landscapes, Atlantic coastlines, and cultural tourism.
Morocco Continues Expanding Its International Festival Scene
The success of events such as the Dakhla International Film Festival reflects Morocco’s growing role as a major cultural and artistic destination in Africa and the Arab world.
Alongside festivals in Marrakech, Essaouira, Rabat, and Fez, Dakhla continues diversifying Morocco’s international cultural calendar.
The event also reinforces Morocco’s efforts to support cinema, audiovisual industries, and cross-cultural artistic collaboration.
