Morocco Set As Country Of Focus For 2026 Berlinale‘s EFM
Morocco will be the country in focus at the 2026 edition of the Berlinale’s European Film Market (EFM). The market said the choice was a reflection of the country’s growing footprint as an international location, bolstered by a 30 percent cash rebate, as well as its bubbling local cinema scene led by the likes of Nabil Ayouch, Faouzi Bensaïdi, Asmae El Moudir, Halima Ouardiri and Maryam Touzani. “The Moroccan film and media landscape has reached a new level of international visibility,” said Tanja Meissner, Director of the festival’s industry-focused Berlinale Pro department. “It combines a strong national cinema with an openness to international collaboration, offering high production value, skilled professionals and distinctive locations. These factors, along with targeted support mechanisms, make Morocco one of the most compelling focus countries in recent years.” The EFM previously put the spotlight on Mexico, Canada, Norway, Chile, the Baltic States, Italy and Spain. The market will take place from February 12 to 18, 2026 as part of the 76th Berlinale.
Rotterdam Unveils Nine World Premieres
The International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) has unveiled a first wave of world premieres for its 2026 edition, announcing nine titles destined for its Bright Future and Harbour programming strands. Juja Dobrachkous’s Accept Our Sincere Apologies, Gustavo Vinagre and Vinicius Coutos’ The Passion According TO GHB, Artemio Narro’s Art Is Dark An Full of Horrors, Hanung Bramantyo’s The Hole, 309 Days To The Bloodiest Tragedy, Carlos Casas’ Krakatoa and Erol Mintaş’ Earth Song will all world premiere in the Harbour sidebar. A trio of titles by emerging filmmakers have been announced for the Bright Future lineup spanning P. R. Monencillo Patindol with I Grew An Inch When My Father Died; Nolitha Refilwe Mkulisi’s Let Them Be Seen and Semmalar Annam’s Mayilaa. “These films set the tone for the diversity of programming we’ll have at IFFR 2026, from unconventional horror thrillers and misfit comedies to narratives exploring the complexities of belonging, all serving different communities and audience curiosities,” said IFFR Festival Director Vanja Kaludjercic. IFFR’s 55th edition will run from 29 January to 8 February 2026.
‘Shadowbox’ & ‘Always’ Scoop Netpac & Fipresci Prizes At El Gouna
Tanushree Das and Saumyananda Sahi’s Bengali-language drama Shadowbox has scooped the Netpac prize for Best Asian Narrative at Egypt’s El Gouna Film Festival. The film, which world premiered in the Berlinale’s Perspectives sidebar, follows an impoverished but determined family put to test when the father, who is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, is accused of murder. The Netpac jury also feted Deming Chen’s Always with Best Asian Documentary. The film also won The Fipresci prize selected from the first or second Asian, African or Latin American films in El Gouna’s Feature Narrative, Feature Documentary competition, Out of Competition sections combined. The work, which world premiered at Denmark’s CPH: DOX festival follows a teenage poet living in the rural Hunan in China.
