The 31st International Rabat Writers Cinema Festival (FICAR) opened in Rabat, Morocco, on Monday and will run for one week. The festival, organized by the Rabat Culture and Arts Festival Association, will screen more than 120 films across a range of venues in the city’s cultural centers. In the international competition, Turkish cinema is represented by the 91‑minute feature “Tatlı Maya,” directed by Biket İlhan. The film follows Nazan, a small‑bakery owner, who welcomes a Syrian refugee named Rana into her life. The story explores the consequences of Nazan’s humanitarian gesture, including social pressure from the community, a boycott of her bakery by some customers, and the eventual closure of the shop by authorities on the grounds of employing an “illegal worker.” The film addresses themes of forced migration, humanitarian aid, and the social challenges faced by volunteers. Festival director Melek ed‑Dahmuni said that the international competition jury is chaired by Italian filmmaker, screenwriter and actor Mimmo Calopresti. Other jury members include Moroccan director and producer Hişam Hacı, Turkish film critic Vecdi Sayar, Syrian poet and director Hala Muhammed, and French filmmaker Pascal Lombardo. The short‑film jury is headed by German director Vincent Forster, while separate juries will decide the documentary category and the critics’ award. Dahmuni also announced that the festival will honor the late Moroccan director Muhammed Ahid Binsevde, who passed away in February 2026, through a series of programs. In addition to the competitive sections, the festival will host workshops for film students and story and film screenings in Arabic and French for primary and middle‑school audiences. The international competition will feature 12 feature films, 10 documentaries, and 42 short films. The festival aims to highlight works that showcase the director’s unique vision and creativity.
Article and image source: Haberler