Rabat: Launched by the Tamayouz Cinema Foundation and UNESCO, in partnership with Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Story School, La Prod, Digital Factory, and Intelcia, with the support of the People’s Republic of China, this residency has, since September 15, been supporting a new generation of African women filmmakers, embodying a dynamic push for creation and greater visibility of talent across the continent.
According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, the African Young Women in Action is a manifesto for the recognition of African female voices and the promotion of ambitious cinema. Under the direction of producer and program founder Lamia Chraibi, the participants benefit from the mentorship of leading figures in African cinema, including Moroccan filmmaker and multidisciplinary creator Hicham Lasri and C©sar-winning Mauritanian director Abderrahmane Sissako, as well as access to an international network of professionals.
Over the course of six weeks, these emerging talents are developing, shooting, and post-producing their short films under the guidance of internationally renowned experts. The initiative is described as both an artistic and human immersion, where each film forms part of a collective puzzle: a pan-African anthology series ready to conquer global screens.
With participants from Namibia, Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Liberia, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, and Morocco, AYWA offers these creators a rigorous professional framework.
The residency will close on October 27 at the Moroccan Cinematheque in Rabat with the premiere screening of the ten residents’ original works, followed by a networking event bringing together producers, broadcasters, platforms, festivals, and institutional partners.