Morocco as “Partner Country” of the Haryana International Film Festival marks a new page in the cultural dialogue between India and the Kingdom of Morocco.
New Delhi, India – In a major step forward for cultural cooperation between South Asia and North Africa, the Kingdom of Morocco has been officially designated “Partner Country” of the 8ᵉ edition of the Haryana International Film Festival (HIFF 2026), scheduled to take place between March and April 2026.
Cultural diplomacy in action
The announcement was made following an official meeting between the festival management and representatives of the Roqey Foundation for Art, Culture and Peace.
Mr. Direndra Dangi, Director of the Sangee Sankriti Foundation and executive manager of the festival, emphasized that this initiative marks “a new dimension in the historic relations between India and Morocco”, recalling that cinema remains one of the most powerful vectors of creative dialogue and cultural diplomacy between peoples.
“A new dimension in the historic relationship between India and Morocco.
Direndra Dangi
Memorandum of understanding signed
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed to establish the institutional framework for this strategic cultural cooperation.
The ceremony was attended by :
- Mr Badr Berrada, President of the Roqey Foundation
- Ms Khadija El Mrabouh, Foundation Representative and Moroccan Program Coordinator
Under this agreement, the Roqey Foundation will coordinate and program the “Moroccan Cinema Focus” within the festival, including :
- Film screenings: a selection of recent and emblematic Moroccan works presented to Indian audiences.
- Professional roundtables: meetings between filmmakers and producers from both countries.
- Masterclasses: lectures by Moroccan experts on writing, production and film innovation.
- Cultural performances: artistic sequences highlighting Moroccan heritage.
A partnership supported by major institutions
The festival enjoys strong academic and institutional support, notably from Kurukshetra University as an academic partner.
It is also supported by :
- Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
- Department of Information, Public Relations, Languages and Culture, Government of Haryana
Towards co-production and a future Indo-Moroccan festival
In addition to Morocco’s participation in HIFF 2026, the discussions opened the way to ambitious prospects:
- Future organization of an Indo-Moroccan film festival in the Kingdom of Morocco
- Development of film co-production projects between creators from both countries
These initiatives could offer Moroccan and Indian talent a shared international stage, catalyzing the exchange of expertise, technologies and stories.
After seven successful editions, the Haryana International Film Festival has established itself as a world-class cultural platform. The 2026 edition promises increased participation from international artists, academics and cultural representatives, consolidating Haryana’s position as an emerging film hub.
