Wa Lana Fel Khayal Hob wins top honor at Harhoura beach film festival

The seventh edition of the Harhoura Beach Film Festival concluded with the film Wa Lana Fel Khayal Hob winning the festival’s Grand Prize. Directed by Sarah Rozik, the film received the highest distinction during the closing ceremony of the cultural event, organized by the Moroccan Association of Arts Without Borders in partnership with the municipality of Harhoura and Morocco’s Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication.

The closing ceremony also recognized outstanding performances across the festival’s official competition. Tunisian actress Najlae Ben Abdellah received the award for best actress for her role in Donya, directed by Mohamed Khalil Bahri. Mohamed Bouchait won the best actor prize for his performance in A Love in Dakhla, directed by Khalid Brahimi.

The award for best direction went to Bribes (Fragments) by Abdilah Zirat and Fatine Janane Mohammadi. In the Cine-School official competition, the short film Au gré du vent, directed by Inès Lehaire, received the top prize.

Festival president Abdelouahed Mjahed said the event attracted large audiences of cinema enthusiasts throughout the program. He highlighted the success of the festival’s masterclasses and filmmaking workshops, describing them as major attractions of this year’s edition.

Mohamed Lakhrif, president of the municipality of Harhoura, said the festival has become a local tradition that deserves continued support because of its innovative concept. He added that the event has the potential to establish itself as a leading international film festival.

The ceremony also paid tribute to veteran actress Aïcha Mahmah in recognition of her long career and acclaimed performances in Moroccan and international cinema. Although she was unable to attend because of health reasons, organizers honored her contribution to the film industry.

Actor Anas El Baz was also recognized for the diversity of his career and his contribution to the promotion of Moroccan cinema. Speaking after the ceremony, he described the distinction as the first tribute of his acting career and said it represented an important milestone that would encourage him to continue working in the film industry.

The festival aims to promote Moroccan cinema while providing the public with an accessible space to engage with filmmakers and film culture. This year’s edition featured workshops led by Anas El Baz and Abdilah Zirat, masterclasses presented by director Noureddine Lakhmari and actor Rafik Boubker, and panel discussions examining the future of cinema in the age of artificial intelligence as well as the relationship between cinema and human rights.