Law No. 18.23 on the film industry and the reorganization of the Moroccan Cinema Center entered into force today, Monday, September 1, following its publication in the Official Gazette, Issue No. 7365, dated December 30, 2024.
A statement from the Moroccan Cinema Center explained that the primary objective of this law is to enhance Morocco’s appeal to domestic and foreign investment, create new job opportunities, while respecting the principles of public facility management, promoting fair competition in the film market, and enhancing the national and international influence of Moroccan cinema, thereby ensuring the establishment of a sophisticated and distinctive economic model specific to the film industry.
The same source noted that, as part of the participatory approach, the Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication announced the launch of a second round of consultations with professional organizations in the film industry and representatives of the sector, following the completion of the collective consultation process on the drafting of Law No. 18.23 regarding the preparation of regulatory texts, which took place from January 29 to February 4, 2025.
He noted that, in this regard, six consultation sessions were held with key players in the film industry, including representatives from production, distribution, exhibition, film festivals and events, technical industries, and technicians, as well as two meetings with representatives of the animation profession and filmmakers, noting that these sessions resulted in a set of proposals aimed at developing regulatory texts and bringing them in line with developments in the film sector both nationally and internationally.
He added that this was followed by the issuance of Decree No. 2.25.365 on June 12, 2025, concerning the implementation of certain provisions of Law No. 18.23, and the publication in the Official Gazette of decrees pertaining to the film industry, which respectively address the conditions and procedures for registering and finalizing contracts in the National Film Registry, as well as defining the procedures for engaging in film production activities, the distribution, export, and import of films, commercial exploitation permits, cultural permits, the operation of movie theaters, studio logos, film industry professional cards, and the categories of professional activities related to the film industry.
He noted that joint decisions and ministerial decisions to implement certain provisions of these texts will be issued in the near future.
The statement noted that the new legal framework has repealed a number of legislative and regulatory texts governing the film sector, including those related to the reorganization of the Moroccan Cinema Center, the regulation of the film industry, video productions, and the public registry. It also indicated that, effective Monday, filming permits already issued remain valid until the end of the filming period, and the public support system for film production, the digitization, modernization, and construction of movie theaters, and the organization of film festivals remains in effect.
He also noted that production facilities, distribution facilities, and cinema operators holding licenses or permits in accordance with the provisions of Law No. 20.99 on the regulation of the film industry are required to comply with the requirements of the new law within a maximum period of one year from the date of its entry into force, that is, by August 31, 2026.
He added that holders of professional identification cards issued in accordance with the provisions of the aforementioned Law No. 20.99 are also required to comply with the provisions of the new law within a period not exceeding five years from the date of its entry into force, that is, by August 31, 2030.
On this occasion, the Moroccan Cinema Center called on all professional organizations in the film industry that were partners in developing the new legal framework to actively engage in raising awareness among film production companies, film distribution companies, cinema operators and associations, as well as organizers of film festivals and events, film technicians, and technical production companies, regarding the need to comply with the new legislative and regulatory texts governing the film sector, with a view to achieving its optimal objectives and developing Moroccan cinema by enhancing its quality and strengthening its international reach.
The Center also called on all stakeholders to comply with the new legal framework and to act within the timeframes specified above, in order to align with the provisions of Law No. 18.23 and its associated regulations, while redoubling their efforts to advance the national film industry and help it keep pace with global developments.
The statement concluded that the Moroccan Cinema Center, as a public institution serving the film industry, makes all its administrative services and human resources available to users in order to provide the required public services in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Sheikh Al-Wali
