Senegal and Morocco have resumed discussions to strengthen their long-standing film industry partnership, aiming to revise the co-production agreement originally signed in 1992. The talks, held on Sunday, February 15, brought together Reba Benjelloun, Director of the Moroccan Cinematographic Center, and Bacary Sarr, Senegal’s Secretary of State for Culture, Creative Industries, and Historical Heritage, according to the Senegalese Press Agency.
The revision prioritizes post-production, distribution mechanisms, training, and the creation of a legal and technical body to enhance efficiency. Sarr highlighted that “the Moroccan model and experience in cinema are of particular interest to us.” Morocco, in turn, emphasized the preservation of cinematographic heritage. Both countries are considering signing a new agreement by 2027, with a focus on supporting emerging filmmakers.
Even outside official channels, Senegalese and Moroccan film professionals are already collaborating on co-productions. This cooperation, initiated at the Atlas Workshops during the Marrakech International Film Festival, has generated notable results, including international recognition for films like Ne réveillez pas l’enfant qui dort, which won the Special Prize of the International Jury for Best Short Film at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, and Wamè, which won the Student Prize at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival in 2025. Post-production for both films was completed in Casablanca, highlighting Morocco’s growing role as a hub for African cinema.
French director Julien Fouré, co-leader of Casablanca-based production company Free Monkeyz, noted, “It is crucial to develop local skills so that Morocco becomes an indispensable player in the region. Morocco has competitive infrastructure and can offer attractive conditions for productions from the continent. If we strengthen our cooperation with other African countries, we can create a solid network for post-production.”
The renewed partnership demonstrates the complementary strengths of Senegal and Morocco, supported by France, and reflects a shared ambition to build a more autonomous African cinema network.
