Moroccan cinema takes center stage at the 21st edition of the AfryKamera festival, running from November 23 to 29, 2026, in Warsaw, Poland, shining a spotlight on both historical milestones and contemporary creations from the North African kingdom.
Known as Central and Eastern Europe’s first African film festival, the event dedicates a major portion of its programming to Moroccan film heritage. Founded in 2006, AfryKamera operates with backing from the Polish Ministry of Culture, the City of Warsaw, and the Polish Film Institute, yabiladi.com reported.
The Warsaw Showcase
- The 21st edition runs from November 23 to 29, 2026, putting Moroccan cinema at the forefront in Poland.
- Screenings feature historical classics alongside contemporary works, including opening film “The Daughters of Abraham” and festival favorite “Trances.”
- Closing night features a live performance by experimental musician Prophän at the National Museum of Ethnography in Warsaw on November 28.
Bridging Decades of Filmmaking with Archival and Modern Works
The festival lineup bridges decades of filmmaking, pairing rare archival treasures with modern storytelling. Screenings include Ahmed El Maânouni’s 1981 classic “Trances,” which documents the legendary Moroccan band Nass El Ghiwane, alongside Mostafa Derkaoui’s 1974 feature “De quelques événements sans signification.”
Audiences will also view two short films directed by Derkaoui during his student years at the Łódź Film School in Poland.
Contemporary voices rounding out the schedule include Hind Bensari’s documentary “Out of School,” Hanaël El Yousfi’s opening film “The Daughters of Abraham,” Orian Barki and Meriem Bennani’s “Bouchra,” Sonia Terrab’s “Les jardins du paradis,” Randa Maroufi’s “L’mina,” and Ayoub Layoussifi and Zahoua Raji’s “Chikha.”
Ahmed El Maânouni Appears Alongside Musical Performances
Director Ahmed El Maânouni is scheduled to appear in person on November 27 to present his restored masterpiece “Trances.” Meanwhile, the festival expands beyond celluloid to highlight contemporary North African soundscapes.
Experimental electronic musician Prophän, performing under his real name Othman Cherradi, takes the stage for the closing ceremony on November 28 at the National Museum of Ethnography in Warsaw. Operating under the guiding theme “Ubuntu: I am because we are,” the 2026 program gathers feature films, documentaries, and shorts from across the African continent and its global diasporas.
