The Cinema Museum of Ouarzazate hosted, on Tuesday evening, the opening ceremony of the inaugural edition of the Ouarzazate International University Film Festival (OIUFF), organized at the initiative of the Polydisciplinary Faculty of Ouarzazate and the Ouarzazate Creative Film Foundation.
As part of the university’s commitment to engaging with its cultural and creative environment, this cinematic event seeks to establish a platform for dialogue between academic research and artistic practice. In doing so, it reinforces the university’s role as a key driver of cultural development, while embodying Ouarzazate’s vision as a creative city and its active participation in UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network.
In his opening address, the festival’s president, Nabil Safaj, Dean of the Polydisciplinary Faculty of Ouarzazate, explained that the idea for this event originated within the faculty’s Center of Excellence for Cinema and Audiovisual Arts. He emphasized that the festival aims to promote intercultural exchange and foster openness to international cinematic experiences, with Japanese cinema featured as the guest of honor for this first edition.
He further noted that this edition brings together researchers, filmmakers, and industry professionals from several countries, including Egypt, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Gulf states, reflecting the festival’s international dimension and its ambition to position Ouarzazate as a hub for exchange among students, academics, and filmmakers.
For his part, Festival Director Rabie El Jouhari highlighted the significance of the event in supporting the ongoing transformations within the film industry, particularly in light of its increasing integration with new technologies and artificial intelligence.
He added that the festival also aims to connect students from Ouarzazate—especially those affiliated with the Center of Excellence for Cinema and Audiovisual Arts—with international academic and artistic expertise.
Meanwhile, Japan’s Ambassador to Morocco, Nakata Masahiro, expressed his pride in taking part in the opening of the festival, noting that the screening of Japanese films such as Godzilla Minus One and A Samurai in Time provides an opportunity to showcase the richness and diversity of Japanese cinema.
He further observed that Japanese cinema is increasingly exploring themes related to technology and the relationship between humans and machines, adding that the festival serves as a new cultural bridge capable of strengthening intellectual and cultural ties between Morocco and Japan.
The opening ceremony featured a distinguished musical performance by the Montassir Hamala Orchestra, a showcase of Japanese cinema, and heartfelt tributes to several prominent artistic figures, including Egyptian actor Riad El Khouly, Moroccan actor and director Driss Roukh, and Amazigh Moroccan actress Fatima Bouchane, in recognition of their distinguished careers and significant contributions to cinema, television, and theatre.
The ceremony concluded with the screening of the Japanese feature film Godzilla Minus One, directed by Takashi Yamazaki.
This inaugural edition of the Ouarzazate International University Film Festival (April 28–30) pays tribute to Japanese cinema, marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Morocco and Japan. A special program has been curated for the occasion, featuring a selection of Japanese films that highlights the depth of cultural ties between the two nations.
The event is organized in partnership with the Prefecture of the Province of Ouarzazate and Ouarzazate Events, with the support of the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, the Provincial Council, the Municipal Council, and the Moroccan Cinematographic Center.
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