Chefchaouen Declares Itself the Capital of Green Cinema at the Closing of the International Environmental Film Festival
By Mohammed Tafraouti
The curtain fell in the city of Chefchaouen on the 14th edition of the International Environmental Film Festival, where audiences and guests enjoyed four days of visual delight, intellectual debates, and artistic exchanges that brought together cinematic creativity and messages of sustainability. The closing ceremony culminated in the awarding of prizes to competing films that showcased both a profound ecological awareness and a distinctive artistic vision.
In the Educational Institutions competition, joy spread among the students of Tata as their film “Save the Oasis” by Kamal Ousaid won first prize. Three other films received special mentions: “Massa: Between Life and Death”, “The Seat”, and “Nada”, encouraging emerging talents to continue their creative journey.
In the Amateur Films category, “Tizi n Oumaragh” by Fatima Zoubir and Kawtar Ouzkan captured the spotlight, earning the award for Best Film, while the German production “Monalisa: Une histoire climatique” by Matthias Schweikert and Tobias Schäfer received a special mention.
The Short Professional Films category was led by Indonesia with “Earth Defender” directed by Siel van der Woerd, Yorrick Dozy, and Kenan Tegar, while France’s “ECO” by Aubrey Noémi received a special mention. As for the Feature-Length Professional Films, Morocco’s “The Greater Flamingo” by Hassan Kharfi received an honorable mention, while the Grand Prize went to “Wilding: Return to the Wild” from England.
Beyond the competitions, the festival provided fertile ground for intellectual and aesthetic explorations. Guests gathered for an international Masterclass to discuss the artistic, aesthetic, and environmental values embedded in the documentary “The Blue Quest Palawan” by Clément Bouztal and Jérôme Irous. The festival also hosted two international panels: “Environmental Cinema Through Women’s Eyes” and “The Digital Revolution as a Driver for Environmental Education and Sustainable Development”, the latter held in the scenic Akchour valley—symbolically underscoring the festival’s openness to its natural and cultural surroundings.
In a symbolic moment, it was announced that Chefchaouen would be declared the Capital of Green Cinema—an announcement that resonated strongly with participants. They emphasized that the accumulation of 14 consecutive editions under the stewardship of the Talassemtane Association for Environment and Development had transformed the festival into a space that unites art and environmental awareness, where images and creativity converge to embed the message of sustainability and to build bridges between cinema and ecology.
True to its tradition, the festival also honored distinguished media and artistic figures with the title of “Ambassador for the Environment” in recognition of their commitment to defending nature and safeguarding resources. The event welcomed significant international participation from the United States, Germany, Spain, and numerous Arab and Maghreb countries, continuing its annual tradition of being a “Plastic-Free Festival.”
With this landmark declaration, Chefchaouen—the Blue City—strengthens its position as a space that harmonizes aesthetic identity with environmental commitment. The festival opens a new chapter for environmental cinema as a powerful tool for raising awareness and promoting sustainable development.
The festival’s wide international presence highlighted its global relevance, as delegations from countries such as the United States, Germany, Spain, and several Arab and Maghreb nations discussed how cinema can serve as an effective medium for raising awareness and advocating for the preservation of natural landscapes and local resources.
