2024, France / Morocco / Belgium / Netherlands / Norway, 102 minutes, drama
Director: Nabil Ayouch
Writers: Nabil Ayouch, Maryam Touzani
Cinematographer: Virginie Surdej
Producers: Nabil Ayouch, Amine Benjelloun, Ines Benmokhtar, Tanguy Dekeyser, Eva Jakobsen, Mikkel Jersin, Philippe Logie, Ragna Nordhus Midtgard, Elisa Fernanda Pirir, Katrin Pors
Cast: Nisrin Erradi, Joud Chamihy, Jalila Talemsi
Touda dreams of becoming a Sheikha – a respected Moroccan performer, empowered by the voices of female poets who came before her. Singing nightly in smoky bars under lewd male gazes, she longs to escape her rural village and reach the bright lights of Casablanca, where she hopes to be recognized as a true artist and build a better future for herself and her son.
Nabil Ayouch
Born April 1, 1969, in Paris, Nabil Ayouch is a Franco-Moroccan film director, producer, and screenwriter based in Casablanca. His cinematic journey began with “Mektoub” (1997), followed by “Ali Zaoua: Prince of the Streets” (2000), both submitted for Oscar consideration. In 1999, he founded Ali n’ Productions to support emerging filmmakers. His film “Casablanca Beats” (2021) was the first Moroccan film in the official competition at Cannes. He also created the Ali Zaoua Foundation, opening cultural cen…
Filmography:
2024 – Everybody Loves Touda
2021 – Casablanca Beats
2017 – Razzia
2015 – Much Loved
Festivals and Awards:
2024 – Malaga French Film Festival – Young Jury Award, Special Mention
2025 – Palm Springs International Film Festival – Nominee, Best Foreign Language Film (FIPRESCI Prize)
2024 – El Gouna – Nominee, Golden Star – Feature Narrative