Nawi — one of 14 features competing at FICAK 2026. A Kenyan girl's shattered dream, on a Khouribga screen. Khouribga lit up Saturday evening as one of Africa’s oldest film festivals opened its 26th edition. The International African Film Festival of Khouribga — FICAK — inaugurated its latest chapter under the Haute Patronage of King Mohammed VI with a ceremony that mixed competition, tribute and cultural performance, drawing filmmakers, artists and professionals from across the continent.
The edition runs until 6 June under a theme that asks a question African cinema can no longer avoid: “Between streaming and dream: the African dilemma”. Festival director Iz-eddine Gourirran framed the stakes plainly: the festival has become, over the years, a platform not only for African artistic dialogue but for the cultural economy of Khouribga itself — generating tourism, supporting local business and reinforcing Morocco’s standing as a cultural destination at the African and international levels. “Culture, and cinema in particular, represents a genuine investment for the future”, he said, “and an essential lever in building an open and balanced society.”.
“African cinema is a privileged space of dialogue between the cultures and peoples of the continent — and a vector for expressing its diversity and identities”.— Alex Moussa Sawadogo, president of the feature film jury · FICAK, 31 May 2026
The competition brings together 14 feature films and 13 short films. Alex Moussa Sawadogo, president of the feature film jury, told MAP that the quality and diversity of the competing works “augur rich and in-depth debates before the final awards”. He expressed optimism about the future of African cinema, pointing to an emerging generation of trained talent capable of projecting the continent’s cinematic voice further onto the international stage.
The DRC in the spotlight — and a tribute to Younès Megri
The Democratic Republic of Congo holds the place of guest of honour this year — a recognition of Congolese cinema’s cultural diversity, creative richness and capacity to reflect Africa’s social and human transformations. The festival has programmed screenings of landmark Congolese films, encounters with directors, critics and artists, and colloquia on the history and future of Congolese cinema.
The opening ceremony also marked a tribute to Moroccan artist Younès Megri, in recognition of his artistic career and contribution to the national cultural and cinematic landscape. Megri, who grew up in a family where music and art were central, spoke of having built his own artistic universe over the years before opening himself to cinema — an experience he said enriched his creative vision. “I am moved by this recognition”, he said, “and joyful to share this moment with the public of FICAK”.
- Source: MAP