Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech are currently hosting the African Young Women in Action (AYWA) residency, running until October 27, which brings together ten young female directors from across the five sub-regions of Africa for a unique creative journey.
Launched by the Tamayouz Cinema Foundation and UNESCO, in partnership with Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Story School, La Prod, Digital Factory, and Intelcia, with the support of the People’s Republic of China, this residency—initiated on September 15—aims to nurture a new generation of African women filmmakers and to strengthen the visibility and impact of female talent across the continent.
According to a statement from the Foundation, AYWA serves as “a manifesto for the recognition of African female voices and the promotion of ambitious cinema.” Under the leadership of producer and program founder Lamia Chraibi, participants are guided by prominent figures in African cinema, including Moroccan filmmaker and multidisciplinary artist Hicham Lasri and César-winning Mauritanian director Abderrahmane Sissako. They also gain access to an extensive international professional network.
Over six weeks, these emerging directors are developing, shooting, and post-producing their short films under the supervision of internationally recognized mentors. The program is described as both an artistic and human immersion, where each film contributes to a collective work: a pan-African anthology series poised to reach global audiences.
Featuring participants from Namibia, Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Liberia, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, and Morocco, AYWA offers a rigorous professional environment fostering creativity and collaboration.
The residency will conclude on October 27 at the Moroccan Cinematheque in Rabat, with the premiere screening of the participants’ original films, followed by a networking event bringing together producers, broadcasters, platforms, festivals, and institutional partners.
