Al-Alam – Omar Naja

The conclusion of the seventh edition of the Kasbah Short Film Festival, organised by the Education and Development Association, Ouarzazate branch, was marked by the victory of director Mouha Ouahdidou for the Grand Prize for his film "The Blue Bird". The film also won the award for best cinematography and sound, while the film "Last Ink" by director Yazid El Kadiri won the award for best screenplay out of ten participating films.

The jury, chaired by the artist Salima Benmoumen from the Higher Institute of Dramatic Art and Cultural Animation in Rabat, announced the names of the other winners during the closing ceremony of the festival, which was organised between November 7 and 10, 2024. Thus, actor Abdelghani Sannak won the award for best male performance for his role in the film "Sacrifice" by director Ayoub Boudadi, while actress Nezha Tebbaai won the award for best female performance for her role in the film "Ropes of Affection" by director Wajdan Khalidi, which also won the award for best gender-inclusive film.

The jury recommended, through its report addressed to the festival organisers, the need to continue producing high-quality short films that address societal issues and touch upon its concerns, and to develop the techniques used in filmmaking. It also proposed including a new award for best director in future editions of the festival.