Guelmim: ACT 2026 programme to train 84 young people in cinema trades

A programme called “ACT 2026” was recently launched in Guelmim to train 84 young people from the Guelmim-Oued Noun region in cinema and audiovisual trades over nine months, the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication said.

The regional council of Guelmim-Oued Noun leads the initiative, working with the Institut supérieur des métiers du cinéma et de l’audiovisuel (ISMAC) and the Moroccan Association of Cinema and Audiovisual Production (MACAP). The stated aim is to bring specialised training closer to the region’s young people and open careers for them in the cultural and creative industries.

225 applications, 84 places

Noureddine Agharas, president of MACAP and executive director of the programme, told MAP that interest had been strong. The call drew 225 applications, and 125 candidates were invited to selection tests run by a jury.

The 84 trainees finally retained come from all four provinces of the region. According to Agharas, the training is meant to give them professional skills to enter the job market and to work, each in their own field, on national and international film and audiovisual productions hosted in the region.

ISMAC director Abdessamad Moutei said selection rested on two main criteria: the candidates’ ties to the region and their creative aptitude. A committee bringing together specialised staff from the institute and industry professionals carried out the assessment.

Moutei added that the goal is to train a new generation able to conceive and produce film and audiovisual content that enriches national output.

From screenwriting to special effects

The course combines theory with hands-on workshops supervised by experts and professionals. It follows the full chain of creation and production, from writing to directing, including framing, production, editing, make-up and special effects.

Regional council funds training

Mbarka Bouaida, president of the regional council, said the cultural and creative industries hold significant potential for job creation. She pointed to the region’s particular strengths, notably its geographical position and its rich Hassani and Amazigh cultural heritage.

The council is supporting the programme by financing the training and providing the venue for the workshops, as part of its work to develop young people’s skills and create new professional opportunities locally, Bouaida said.

Beyond technical skills, the organisers say ACT 2026 seeks to bring forward local talent capable of joining national and international productions and to build a pool of skilled workers that could make the region more attractive to industry professionals.