The 23rd edition of the Meknes International Animation Film Festival (FICAM) kicked off on Friday evening, exploring the interaction between animated film and video games.
A range of renowned Moroccan and foreign directors, artists, and producers are taking part in this edition, which is held under the High Patronage of HM King Mohammed VI.
Speaking on this occasion, the Director General of the French Institute of Morocco, Agnès Humruzian, indicated that the French Institute has remained committed for 23 years to the animation film event, adding that FICAM remains the essential meeting place for all enthusiasts of animated imagery and those who believe in culture as a tool for innovation and dialogue between peoples.
Ms. Humruzian highlighted the relevance of the theme chosen for this edition, which is the dialogue between animated film and video games, two parallel universes that are coming together today to push the boundaries of creation, adding that Morocco and France have much to share regarding these dynamics, referring in particular to Franco-Moroccan cooperation in the field of video games.
She specifically cited the "Video Game Incubator" program, a training program for the many professions in the video game industry.
Launched last March, this program aims to support Moroccan video game entrepreneurs in the structuring, development, and sustainability of their businesses, while accelerating their skill development and strengthening synergies between Moroccan actors in this ecosystem internationally.
For his part, the Vice-President of the Aicha Foundation, Messaoud M’Hammed, indicated that the festival brings together professionals and enthusiasts once again this year around an art in constant evolution, adding that it has become, over the editions, a space for transmission and sharing around the best of animation.
He stressed that this edition marks an important step towards the future through an exciting and current theme, namely animation and video games, adding that this theme speaks to Moroccan youth in the sense that they see it as a passion and a promising professional future.
The opening was marked by the preview screening of the Franco-Belgian-Latvian film "Flow", winner of a CĂ©sar and an Oscar, with an impressive track record at the Annecy Festival and over a million viewers internationally.
The feature film tells the story of a cat that wakes up in a world invaded by water where all human life seems to have disappeared. It finds refuge on a boat with a group of other animals. But getting along with them proves to be an even greater challenge than overcoming its fear of water. Everyone will now have to learn to overcome their differences and adapt to the new world that is imposed upon them.
A vibrant tribute was also paid to the Tunisian director Zouheir Mahjoub and the pioneer of Congolese animation, Jean Michel Kibushi. A posthumous tribute was also paid to the Egyptian director Zaineb Zamzam.
The Aicha Grand Prix for Animation 2025 was awarded on this occasion to the film project "Maison sans toit". With a rich and varied program, the festival, organized by the AĂŻcha Foundation in partnership with the French Institute of Meknes, offers, in addition to screenings, an innovative professional forum designed to foster enriching exchanges and the sharing of expertise.
This platform will allow participants to meet professionals from the animation and video game sectors through dynamic conferences and interactive meetings that will stimulate creativity and synergies.
The professional forum is an opportunity to bring together animation film directors, studios, schools, video game developers, and political figures to exchange ideas and open new perspectives for this industry.
The discussions will focus on the interactions between animated film and video game development, as well as on corporate social responsibility in these rapidly expanding fields.
As usual, the festival offers masterclasses, meetings with international professionals, screenings, and workshops intended for students from major schools and animation enthusiasts.
A range of renowned Moroccan and foreign directors, artists, and producers are taking part in this edition, which is held under the High Patronage of HM King Mohammed VI.
Speaking on this occasion, the Director General of the French Institute of Morocco, Agnès Humruzian, indicated that the French Institute has remained committed for 23 years to the animation film event, adding that FICAM remains the essential meeting place for all enthusiasts of animated imagery and those who believe in culture as a tool for innovation and dialogue between peoples.
Ms. Humruzian highlighted the relevance of the theme chosen for this edition, which is the dialogue between animated film and video games, two parallel universes that are coming together today to push the boundaries of creation, adding that Morocco and France have much to share regarding these dynamics, referring in particular to Franco-Moroccan cooperation in the field of video games.
She specifically cited the "Video Game Incubator" program, a training program for the many professions in the video game industry.
Launched last March, this program aims to support Moroccan video game entrepreneurs in the structuring, development, and sustainability of their businesses, while accelerating their skill development and strengthening synergies between Moroccan actors in this ecosystem internationally.
For his part, the Vice-President of the Aicha Foundation, Messaoud M’Hammed, indicated that the festival brings together professionals and enthusiasts once again this year around an art in constant evolution, adding that it has become, over the editions, a space for transmission and sharing around the best of animation.
He stressed that this edition marks an important step towards the future through an exciting and current theme, namely animation and video games, adding that this theme speaks to Moroccan youth in the sense that they see it as a passion and a promising professional future.
The opening was marked by the preview screening of the Franco-Belgian-Latvian film "Flow", winner of a CĂ©sar and an Oscar, with an impressive track record at the Annecy Festival and over a million viewers internationally.
The feature film tells the story of a cat that wakes up in a world invaded by water where all human life seems to have disappeared. It finds refuge on a boat with a group of other animals. But getting along with them proves to be an even greater challenge than overcoming its fear of water. Everyone will now have to learn to overcome their differences and adapt to the new world that is imposed upon them.
A vibrant tribute was also paid to the Tunisian director Zouheir Mahjoub and the pioneer of Congolese animation, Jean Michel Kibushi. A posthumous tribute was also paid to the Egyptian director Zaineb Zamzam.
The Aicha Grand Prix for Animation 2025 was awarded on this occasion to the film project "Maison sans toit". With a rich and varied program, the festival, organized by the AĂŻcha Foundation in partnership with the French Institute of Meknes, offers, in addition to screenings, an innovative professional forum designed to foster enriching exchanges and the sharing of expertise.
This platform will allow participants to meet professionals from the animation and video game sectors through dynamic conferences and interactive meetings that will stimulate creativity and synergies.
The professional forum is an opportunity to bring together animation film directors, studios, schools, video game developers, and political figures to exchange ideas and open new perspectives for this industry.
The discussions will focus on the interactions between animated film and video game development, as well as on corporate social responsibility in these rapidly expanding fields.
As usual, the festival offers masterclasses, meetings with international professionals, screenings, and workshops intended for students from major schools and animation enthusiasts.
