“Seeds of Memory” Screened at The International Festival of Environmental Films in Chefchaouen(FIFE)

By Soukaina Kherdioui, Dakira Communications Specialist

Chefchaouen, Morocco

The High Atlas Foundation’s short film Seeds of Memory was screened at the International Festival of Environmental Films in Chefchaouen (FIFE). This unique 9-minute short documentary, filmed in collaboration with Philos Productions, explores the potential of interfaith heritage preservation to improve livelihoods and promote social solidarity.

On June 20-23, 2023, Association Talassemtane Pour L'Environnement et le Développement (ATED) organized the International Festival of Environmental Films in Chefchaouen (FIFE). The general public was invited to take part in the opening ceremony that took place at the Kasbah Museum. The event saw the participation of amateur and professional filmmakers and producers. This year’s 12th edition was organized under the theme “Zero Plastic Festival” to raise awareness of the dangers of plastic pollution.

Awards were given in the following four competition categories: professional feature films, professional short film, amateur short film and school films. This year’s submissions totalled 150 films from various countries and the official line-up included 18 films, with Seeds of Memory the only Moroccan film in the professional short film category competing alongside four other entries: Stolen Fish (UK-Poland-Spain), Never Die Alone (Oman), Repackaging Naturally (UK) and 3.5% (Switzerland).

The event included two presentations titled “Environmental Challenges and Documentary Films” and “Harnessing the Digital Revolution for Combating Environmental Challenges.” Additionally, 18 movies of various lengths representing different nationalities were screened during the festival, all of which focused on the environmental challenges with special focus on plastic waste.

On the third day of the event, the organizers, Association Talassemtane pour l’environnement et le Développement, gave a tour of one of their flagship projects: The Bee House (Dar Nahla). Located at about 20 min from Chefchaouen, Dar Nahla, which is built using eco-friendly material and relies on solar energy, houses several themed halls each dedicated to showcasing the development of beekeeping, the tools used in honey extraction and locally produced honey products. In addition, the association offers an educational exploratory visit along a circuit of 1200 meters to learn about the life of bees and the beekeeping profession.

On the last day of the festival, winners were announced. The top honors went to Assassinat (Morocco) and Amuka (Belgium) for Best Feature Film Award, Stolen Fish for Best Professional Short Film Award (UK-Poland-Spain), Plasticene (Italy) for Best Amateur Short Film Award, and La Bataille de la rareté (Morocco) for Best School Film Award.

The USAID Dakira program, implemented by the High Atlas Foundation and its partners, aims to strengthen inter-religious and inter-ethnic solidarity through community efforts that preserve cultural heritage in Morocco.

The article was completed with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the High Atlas Foundation is solely responsible for its content, which does not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the Government of the United States.