Essaouira: The third edition of the “La Dolce Vita Mogador” festival commenced in Essaouira, emphasizing Italian cinema with a particular focus on female filmmakers and their contributions to the film industry.
According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, this year’s festival operates under the theme “Women and Italian Cinema,” attracting film enthusiasts, industry professionals, and creatives to engage with a wide array of screenings. These screenings display the creativity and impactful contributions of Italian women to cinema.
The event, which continues until April 26, is organized by the Essaouira-Mogador Association with support from Morocco’s Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, the Italian Embassy in Rabat, the Italian Cultural Institute, and the Essaouira Municipal Council. It aims to foster intercultural dialogue and shared memory between Morocco and Italy, offering a platform where artistic expression serves as a bridge between the two Mediterranean cultures. The festival’s program includes a variety of unreleased works and timeless classics, showcasing the richness of Italy’s female cinematic voices.
The opening ceremony at Essaouira’s Cultural Complex featured the Moroccan premiere of “Gloria!” (2024), directed by Margherita Vicario. Dignitaries in attendance included Andr© Azoulay, Advisor to HM King Mohammed VI and President-Founder of the Essaouira-Mogador Association, along with diplomats and notable cultural figures from both Morocco and abroad.
In his opening speech, Azoulay highlighted Essaouira’s enduring connection with the arts, describing the city as a “timeless muse” and a symbol of cultural openness. He stated, “Essaouira is a place where otherness is not a threat, but a strength,” emphasizing the city’s appeal to filmmakers and artists globally. He added that culture, in its most generous and demanding form, remains a guiding light and compass for maintaining a connection with shared humanity.
Umberto Vivacqua, representing the Italian Embassy and Cultural Institute in Rabat, commended the festival’s theme, describing it as a “celebration of Italian women’s cinema in a city that embodies the very essence of Mediterranean dialogue.” He also noted the increasing film collaboration between Italy and Morocco, particularly through recent co-productions filmed in Moroccan locations.