Morocco to Host Boujloud Film Fest 2026 in Rabat
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The Boujloud Film Fest 2026, a cinematic event dedicated to horror and fantasy films, will be held in Rabat from October 30 to November 1, 2026. The festival will feature screenings of both long and short films, along with discussions and meetings with filmmakers, researchers, and artists from Morocco and abroad.
The screenings will take place at the Higher Institute of Audiovisual and Cinematic Professions (ISMAC), the 7ème Art cinema, and the Tatmin space, with free admission for the public. The festival aims to showcase films that typically do not receive wide screening opportunities in Moroccan cinemas. The program includes films from various countries and cinematic experiences, such as 'Reflet dans un diamant mort' directed by Helen Catt and Bruno Forzani, 'Black Zombie' by Maya Anik Bedward, and 'Mārama' by Taratwa Stabard, among others. Short films will also be featured, including works by Moroccan director Sofia Alouali and Karim Souissi.
The festival will kick off on Friday, October 30, at ISMAC with a screening of short films and a meeting with director Karim Souissi and artist Nanji Motiri, moderated by Mustafa Abtan, known as 'Bandini'. This will be followed by the opening ceremony and a screening of 'Reflet dans un diamant mort' in the evening. On Saturday, the festival will continue with a screening of the documentary 'Black Zombie', followed by a discussion on the portrayal of monsters in culture and society, featuring researchers, artists, and cinema professionals. The day will conclude with a screening of 'Mārama'.
On Sunday, part of the program will be dedicated to short films and a discussion with the audience at the Tatmin space. The festival will conclude with a screening of 'Sicko' at the 7ème Art cinema. This initiative is part of a cultural project involving actors from Morocco and Belgium, led by Mustafa Abtan, known as 'Bandini', Kristel Schoulvael, and Sami Ghaidi. The project aims to create a space for showcasing films that blend horror, fantasy, and documentary genres, and to foster dialogue and exchange between artists, students, and the public. The festival's name is inspired by the character 'Boujloud', also known as 'Belmaoun' in Amazigh, a figure from Moroccan popular heritage associated with wearing animal skins.
