The Festival was born from a deep desire to allow an authentic cultural exchange.
For directors from all over the world, arriving in Zagora is truly a unique experience, which allows them to get closer to traditional Berber culture, culture understood in the broad sense of cinema, music, cuisine, spirit, nature and hospitality.
During the Festival, daily excursions are organized to discover the wonders of the place: Tamegroute, the Amezrou casbah, the Koranic Library etc…

The Festival has two sections:
• The Documentary Competition
• The Short Film Competition (max 15 minutes)
The Jury is the same for both sections.
The screenings take place inside the city's cultural center and also on a large screen set up in the desert.
A short distance from Ouarzazate, the major city of the Moroccan film industry, Zagora today represents the most important point of reference for cinema at the gates of the desert.
An unforgettable journey through the Atlas will allow you to discover a country rich in ancient traditions and at the same time very attentive to creative and artistic innovations.

Best movie
Jury Award
Audience Award
Editing Award
Youth Awards

Prix du Maroc

RULES AND TERMS:
These rules (the “Rules”) apply to all submissions to Fondation du Festival International du Cinéma de Zagora
By submitting your film (the “Film”) for consideration for inclusion in the festival operated by Fondation (the “Festival”), you (the “Applicant” or “You”) hereby agree to be bound by these Rules.

SUBMISSION

THE FESTIVAL will consider each submission received (a “Submission”) against the Eligibility Criteria (defined below).
• A Film which does not meet the Eligibility Criteria as of the date of submission will not be selected.
• THE FESTIVAL may, at its absolute discretion, decide to accept a submission which meets the Eligibility Criteria, but is not obliged to screen any particular Film at the Festival even if the Film meets the Eligibility Criteria.
• Due to the amount of submission received individual feedback may not be possible, 1.5 Successful applicants will be contacted in late September or early October 2023, and in any case by October 10th, when the full list of selected documentaries will be published on the Festival website
• Successful applicants will be forwarded a copy of the THE FESTIVAL Screening Agreement. Submissions from successful applicants who do not agree to the FESTIVAL Screening Agreement will not be screened.
• Applicants can submit one project only.
• In case of selection, the festival reserves the right to use stills and excerpts from the films for promotional purposes, not exceeding 10 % of the running time, or a maximum of 3 minutes.
• Entrants are not entitled to claim screening or rental fees for the screenings of their films in competition.
• The festival office doesn’t have the possibility to answer questions about status of entries or progress of selection.
• Materials submitted will not be returned. We strongly recommend that you do not submit original materials.

ELIGIBILITY
Submission is eligible if all of the following conditions are met:
• The Submission is received before the due date of June 15th, 2025
• Documentaries have commenced production from no earlier than 1st January 2023
The Film has never been, and will not be before November 23rd, 2025, released on DVD, freely available online (however, the Festival may at its discretion accept Films which have been theatrically released or previously screened at other festivals).
• The documentary contains English subtitles, even if it is in English language; Such English subtitles are also sent on separate document (to be translated in other languages/subtitles))
• Eligible formats for screening copies of selected films to be screened during the festival is MP4 or .MOV file, h264 or h265 codec..
• THE FESTIVAL prefers that Films be submitted for competition via FilmFreeway . In alternative, via secure YouTube or Vimeo screeners to the email address submit.zagorafestival@gmail.com only

WARRANTY

By submitting your Film, you warrant that:
• You are free to submit the Film to the Festival
• The Film meets the Eligibility Criteria; and
• You have obtained all necessary clearances in respect of the Film and the Film does not infringe the rights (including without limitation copyright) of any third party

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Eduardo Herlop

    On behalf of director Nazareth Hernández and the team of the documentary "Rebote en San José", the only Venezuelan representative, we would like to congratulate the **Zagora International Arab-African Documentary Film Festival** for its exceptional organization and the high quality of the competition.

    This festival has established itself as a vital space for documentary film, where the **diversity and creativity of filmmakers from all over the world** shone in each screening. The dedication of the organizers is evident in every detail, creating an environment conducive to dialogue and cultural exchange.

    We are thrilled to have shared this experience with **exceptional talent** and to have been able to present our work in such a meaningful setting. This festival not only celebrates the art of documentary filmmaking, but also **unites communities through powerful stories**.

    We deeply appreciate the opportunity to participate and look forward to future editions - Zagora, thank you for this unforgettable experience!

    November 2024
  • Kevin Phillips

    Thank you for selecting our film Mendenhall Glacier, it was a remarkable experience. A very well organised event, we were very well taken care of. This went far beyond a average film festival. It was so much more....I hope to return year after year if possible. Miss you all already. Thank you for sure a unique experience. Kev & Soph

    November 2024
  • THANK YOU for screening my short documentary film GREAT LAKES at your wonderful 2024 festival !... I'm so grateful for the fantastic stay you gave me in Zagora and in the Saharan desert. It was just incredible !... THANK YOU SO MUCH !!!...

    Pascal Duthuin JORDAN DIOW

    diow.fr
    wikimonde.com/wiki/Jordan_Diow
    youtube.com/@PRODUCTIONSJordanDiow

    MOROCCO, LANDSCAPE OF CINEMA, Alongside the 12th ZAGORA INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL : youtu.be/eMYgTvXgxcY

    November 2024
  • It was a great experience! I was happy to watch the other great movies chosen as well. It was my first time in Morocco, but it won't be the last.

    December 2023