FICAM 2025: Loading… Animation and Gaming Boldly Intertwined

The 23rd edition of FICAM promises an electrifying dive into the world of animated images. This year, the festival pulls out all the stops with a daring focus on the bridges between animated cinema and video games, two worlds courting and enriching each other in a creative dance. «La Vie Eco » met with Widad Chraïbi, the festival’s driving force, and Fabrice Mongiat, director of the French Institute of Meknès, to decode this grand animation event.

Forget the dusty image of a niche festival. Since its start in 2001, FICAM has evolved from a small player into an international giant. «We were a tiny festival, almost a UFO », recalls Chraïbi proudly. The goal was to introduce animation cinema to kids, teach them to decode a film, grasp its magic and technique. Mission accomplished: today, 7,000 primary and middle school students flood the festival annually to devour the latest animated gems, meet directors, and learn the secrets of stop-motion or puppet animation. «They leave with stars in their eyes and ideas in their heads »,she enthuses.

But FICAM doesn’t stop there. It also aims to lay the foundations for a real animation market in Morocco. «We’re still far from the goal», admits Chraïbi, «but with the Careers Forum, we’re starting to shake things up ». Now in its fourth edition, this event brings together students, directors, and studios (Moroccan, African, international) to build bridges and showcase local talents often unknown abroad. «Moroccan studios have incredible know-how but lack visibility. That’s what we’re here for», she stresses.

Gaming and Animation: This Year’s Flirt

2025 marks a turning point. FICAM shines a spotlight on gaming, a sector where Morocco abounds with prodigies. «Video games are a major issue for our youth », says Chraïbi. «And to make a good game, you need animation». Training workshops, conferences, roundtables: the festival dissects the synergies between these two universes. About a hundred students from Moroccan public art and audiovisual schools will benefit from tailor-made workshops, while the Careers Forum will host specialized studios from Morocco, Africa, and internationally. «We want to spark collaborations and opportunities », insists Chraïbi.

Fabrice Mongiat adds with contagious enthusiasm: «The links between animation and gaming are organic! Artistic, technical, narrative… We could cite a thousand examples of games turned into films, or vice versa ». To illustrate, the festival invites directors to decode these creative back-and-forths. With over 250 short films received from 38 countries for the competition, FICAM proves it plays in the big leagues. «We have 70 guests, top names, and an artist residency with six young talents, including a Moroccan, a Cameroonian, an Ivorian… It’s animation without borders »,Mongiat exclaims.

Ready? Play (with animation)!

Indeed! Meknès will be the beating heart of FICAM, with 55 screenings scheduled. But the festival’s reach extends beyond: thanks to FICAM Maroc, 57 sessions will tour Casablanca, Rabat, El Jadida, and Agadir until May 25.

The menu? Here it is! Films of incredible quality, a focus on stop-motion, surprises like cosplay, an «emotion box», and dubbing sessions. Not to mention the essentials: conferences, making-ofs, mint tea, and lively discussions. «We want it to sparkle, to inspire », promises Mongiat.

And let it be known: animation is not just for kids. «At first, yes, it was mostly for children », admits Chraïbi. «But today, we have a family audience, students, enthusiasts. Our films show the full diversity of techniques, and they speak to everyone ». A pan-African ambition completes the picture, with a strong presence of studios from the continent. «South-South exchanges are crucial for us. Africa has things to say in animation», Chraïbi emphasizes.

FICAM is the story of a festival that refuses to stay in its bubble. In 23 years, it has democratized animation, revealed talents, and laid the groundwork for a nascent industry. «We consolidate year after year », assures Chraïbi. «And we’re not done growing ». In Meknès this May, animation and gaming will unite for a creative fireworks display. So, ready to dive into the matrix?