Kleber Mendonça Filho to Mentor 9th Atlas Workshops in Marrakech
The Brazilian director will guide filmmakers at the Atlas Workshops, running November 22–26, where 30 projects and films from 14 countries were selected for 2026.
Brazilian director Kleber Mendonça Filho has been announced as the patron of the 9th Atlas Workshops, the Marrakech Film Festival's industry program, according to Variety. He will serve as a mentor to participating filmmakers during the event, which runs from November 22 to 26.
For the 2026 edition, 30 projects and films were selected from a pool of 320 projects in development and 90 films in production or post-production. The selection comprises 14 projects in development, 11 films in production or post-production, and five projects in the Atlas Close-Ups section. Filmmakers from 14 countries are represented.
Atlas Station will welcome eight filmmakers chosen from 30 applicants for 2026. In addition, five Moroccan short films in post-production were selected from 24 submissions to receive support.
The Atlas Distribution Meetings will bring together about 60 professionals from Africa, the Arab world and Europe. Atlas Press is scheduled to run from November 23 to 27.
Background
Mendonça Filho first gained international attention with Neighboring Sounds (2012), Aquarius (2016) and Bacurau (2019), which won the Cannes Jury Prize. His film The Secret Agent (2025) won best director at Cannes, two Golden Globes and four Academy Award nominations. The Atlas Workshops were founded in 2018.
Quick answers
Who is the patron of the 9th Atlas Workshops?
Kleber Mendonça Filho, the Brazilian director of Neighboring Sounds, Aquarius, Bacurau and The Secret Agent.
When do the 9th Atlas Workshops take place?
They run from November 22 to 26.
How many projects and films were selected for the 2026 edition?
30 projects and films were selected: 14 in development, 11 in production or post-production, and five in the Atlas Close-Ups section.