The feature film « Everybody loves Touda », directed by Nabil Ayouch, has been selected to represent Morocco at the 2025 Oscars in the Best International Feature Film category, according to an announcement by the Moroccan Cinematographic Center (CCM).
The film was chosen by a committee led by Tariq Khalami, CCM’s representative, and included members such as producer Souad Lamriki, director and producer Layla Triqui, filmmaker Asmae El Moudir, along with producers and directors Driss Mrini and Driss Roukhe, and Zine El Abidine Charafeddine, an international festival director.
« Everybody loves Touda » tells the story of Touda, a woman who dreams of becoming a Cheikha, a traditional Moroccan artist who performs uncensored songs of resistance, love, and empowerment. She sings every night in bars in her small provincial town, hoping for a better future for herself and her son. After enduring mistreatment and humiliation, she decides to leave everything behind and seek the bright lights of Casablanca.
In addition to Nabil Ayouch’s film, six other films were in contention for this selection, including « The Oasis of Frozen Waters » by Raouf Sebbahi, « Sahari, Salem Wsaa » by Moulay Taieb Bouhanana, and « The Packs » by Kamal Lazraq.
