It was Rabat in 1982, Casablanca in 1984, Meknès in 1991, Tanger in 1995 and again now in Casablanca in 1998. If the first National Film Festivals have been irregular in frequency, it was simply because the bulk of films produced or directed in Morocco did not justify the holding of a Festival.

Yet in 1998, we have so many reasons to be proud of. Proud to introduce this Fifthl Festival, the first ever being introduced in the history of the National Film Festivals, under the high patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Sidi Mohammed. The high interest that His Majesty and His Royal Highness have shown to this Festival , is an honour for Morocco’s Cinema in all its components, and a tribute paid to this sector which is developing in professionalism, quality and quantity.

The other motive for our pride is the fact that this Fifth Festival will present a significant number of Moroccan films in competition (13 long feature films and 18 short films, a retrospective of a dozen of films) which stamped Morocco’s cinema in the last three decades as well as 6 films co-produced by Morocco. This quantitative profusion of national films is supported by an important adherence of the public, and of international festivals which are granting a more significant place to our national films.

Moreover, we note with satisfaction the taking part of several international personalities in this Festival: the presidents and managers of festivals and foreign television networks, personalities belonging to the world of cinema who have common grounds with Moroccan films .. Their coming confirms the increasing interest shown by more countries to our film-making and contributes to promoting our productions beyond our borders.

Good Festival for all.