Morocco Begins Construction of the International Film City in Ouarzazate with an Investment of 240 Million Dirhams
Minister Launches Construction of International Cinema City in Ouarzazate
On Friday, the Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, inaugurated the construction of the International Cinema City in Ouarzazate. This site visit also provided an opportunity to monitor the progress of restoration and rehabilitation projects at several heritage sites in the province.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy aimed at reinforcing Ouarzazate’s status as a national and international hub for the film and audiovisual industry. The goal is to develop a modern ecosystem capable of attracting more national and international productions.
The forthcoming International Cinema City will span an area of 10.49 hectares, with a total investment estimated at 240 million dirhams. It will implement a management model based on the “one-stop shop” principle, offering industry professionals a comprehensive set of integrated services.
The project will include five main hubs encompassing the entire film production chain. This includes a production hub featuring a 3,000 m² film studio, as well as spaces dedicated to post-production, archiving, training, innovation, and creative technologies, along with a hub focused on reception, services, and film tourism.
During the event, Minister Bensaid emphasized that this infrastructure will complement the capabilities already developed by private operators through the studios in Ouarzazate, rather than competing with them. The objective is to enhance the national offering and increase Morocco’s appeal for major international productions.
The minister also highlighted the importance of developing post-production activities within Morocco to prevent international productions from being forced to finalize this stage abroad, thereby boosting Ouarzazate’s competitiveness on the global stage.
During this visit, the minister, accompanied by the governor of Ouarzazate Province, Abdellah Jahid, also toured the Taourirt Kasbah and the Aït Ben Haddou Ksar to assess the progress of restoration works initiated following the Al Haouz earthquake.
He noted that the restoration project at the Aït Ben Haddou Ksar, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987, is currently 80% to 85% complete. Its completion is expected within about four months, after which a new phase of development will begin to enhance the cultural and tourist appeal of the site.
The minister concluded by reiterating that these projects aim not only to preserve Morocco’s architectural heritage but also to promote its cultural and historical significance, while solidifying Ouarzazate’s position as an international destination that combines cinema, heritage, and cultural tourism.
