The 31st edition of the Tétouan Mediterranean Film Festival is set to take place from October 3 to 10, 2026, with a special program dedicated to strengthening cultural and cinematic ties between Morocco and Italy. This initiative is part of the partnership between Tétouan and Matera, both designated as Mediterranean Capitals of Culture and Dialogue for 2026. The program is developed in collaboration with Cinecittà, a renowned Italian film institution.
The program features four main events, including an institutional conference focused on Matera 2026, which will present initiatives and perspectives on cultural and audiovisual cooperation between Morocco and Italy. A professional panel, "Italian and Moroccan Producers: New Coproduction Perspectives," will discuss opportunities for production, coproduction, distribution, and project development between the two countries. The event will bring together Moroccan and Italian professionals, including producer Mario Mazzarotto.
A selection of four Italian films will be screened as part of a carte blanche given to the Matera Film Festival, with the presence of a delegation from the festival and participating directors. This cooperation will extend to Matera in November 2026, with a delegation from the Tétouan Mediterranean Film Festival participating in several activities alongside Moroccan cinema personalities.
An important Italian delegation is expected to attend the festival in Tétouan, including E. Pasquale Salzano, Italian Ambassador to Morocco, and Massimo Osanna, Head of the Cultural Activities Department at the Italian Ministry of Culture. Other attendees will include Giorgio Carlo Brugnoni, Director General of the DGCA, and Luigi D'Aprea, Director of the ITA-ICE office in Casablanca.
The Tétouan Mediterranean Film Festival aims to strengthen professional exchanges between Morocco and Italy around coproduction, circulation of works, and development of common projects. This collaboration is part of the dialogue established between Tétouan and Matera in 2026. Cinecittà, one of the largest film studio complexes in Europe, plays a significant role in promoting Italian cinema and audiovisual production.
The festival's program is supported by various Italian institutions, including the Italian Ministry of Culture, the Italian Embassy in Morocco, the Italian Cultural Institute in Rabat, and the Italian Trade Agency – ICE. The event will promote cultural exchange and cooperation between the two countries, highlighting the importance of cinema as a tool for dialogue and understanding.
Through this collaboration, the Tétouan Mediterranean Film Festival and Cinecittà demonstrate their commitment to fostering artistic and cultural exchange between Morocco and Italy. The event will provide a platform for professionals from both countries to share their experiences, ideas, and projects, ultimately contributing to the growth of the cinematic industry in both nations.
Key points
- The Tétouan Mediterranean Film Festival partners with Cinecittà to promote Moroccan-Italian coproduction and cultural exchange.
