Under the mentorship of internationally acclaimed filmmakers Abderrahame Sissako and Hicham Lasri, this film residency for 10 young women filmmakers from Africa aims to foster creativity, collaboration, and visibility for emerging African women filmmakers
RESIDENCY FOR YOUNG AFRICAN WOMEN FILMMAKERS
10 FILMMAKERS , 5 REGIONS, 1 AMBITION
AYWA is a pioneering residency dedicated to empowering African women filmmakers taking place from September 15th to October 27th. Initiated by the Tamayouz Cinema Foundation in partnership with UNESCO with funding from the People's Republic of China, it builds on the success of the Tamayouz Ateliers Pro to amplify women’s voices in cinema and strengthen their place on the global stage.
Over six weeks in Rabat and Marrakech, ten directors from across Africa’s five sub-regions will each create a short film under professional conditions. Together, these works will form a collective anthology linked by a narrative thread rooted in Casablanca. The anthology casts the city as a central character, reflecting the energy and complexity of a transforming urban Africa. At its core are call centers — microcosms of globalization and windows into layered social realities — through which the filmmakers tell authentic, singular stories within a collective vision.
GUIDED BY LEADERS IN AFRICAN FILM
The program is steered by producer Lamia Chraïbi (Laprod), alongside two leading voices in African cinema.
Abderrahmane Sissako brings AYWA’s ambition into focus: connecting local stories to universal audiences with an uncompromising artistic vision.
Hicham Lasri, creator of the original concept and lead mentor, adds his bold perspective and expertise in serial storytelling.
They are joined by a network of top international professionals — including Sébastien Onomo, Pauline Morineau, Yasmina Tamer, and the Digital Factory Studios team — offering bespoke mentorship and ensuring each film is ready for international distribution.
A STRATEGIC LAUNCHPAD
AYWA is not an endpoint but a launchpad. Conceived as a “season zero,” it serves as a proof of concept for a broader serial format adaptable to other African cities and contexts. It’s a platform spotlighting a new generation of African women filmmakers, bridging festivals, international broadcasters, and digital platforms — a manifesto for high-quality, independent, and collaborative pan-African production.
The residency will culminate on October 27 with a high-profile press and industry event, fostering connections with broadcasters, platforms, and partners to ignite new pan-African projects. A strategic distribution plan, developed with cultural institutions, festivals, and embassies, will secure lasting visibility for the films and their creators.
