The Mobile Film Festival Africa is pleased to announce the official selection for its second edition, which this year comprises 54 films from 21 countries . The results of the call for entries far exceeded those of the previous edition, with 886 films from 40 African countries received (compared to 497 films from 38 countries in the first edition), an increase of 78% ! This edition, in partnership with United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG Africa ) and the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication of the Kingdom of Morocco , is organized as part of the celebrations of "Rabat, African Capital of Culture ." "This is a wonderful edition, made possible by the generous and enthusiastic participation of young creators from across the continent. As you will discover, their films are above all committed: committed to this planet that we are mistreating, committed to women's rights, committed to ending child labor, committed to addressing the migration crisis. We at the Mobile Film Festival are proud to be able to share all these perspectives from young Africans with as many people as possible, thanks to digital technology, in Africa and around the world. This is our way of making their voices heard ," said Bruno Smadja, founder of the Mobile Film Festival Africa. The Mobile Film Festival has returned to the African continent with the rules that have previously made it successful: 1 Mobile, 1 Minute, 1 Film . This unique format eliminates economic constraints thanks to mobile technology and free participation, while creating a high level of selectivity thanks to its scriptwriting constraint, linked to the very short format of one minute. The official selection features 54 films from 21 countries. It is a rich selection that addresses important social issues across all film genres: comedy, fiction, thriller, documentary, and more. High international visibility will be ensured throughout 2023 , notably through screenings at film festivals  (starting with the FCAT , the Festival de Cine Africano de Tarifa-Tánger in Spain and Morocco, as well as the MIFF , the Master International Film Festival of Hammamet in Tunisia) in early May. The films will also benefit from the support of associations , cultural institutions , and, above all, the availability of 600 cinema screens in 31 African countries, which will screen films from the official selection in their theaters between May and December 2023. In order to make the films as accessible as possible, they will be available with subtitles in French, English, Arabic, Portuguese, and Spanish. UPCOMING KEY DATES FOR THE FESTIVAL Online festival with 54 films in the official selection from May 3 to 31, 2023 Awards ceremony at the Renaissance cinema in Rabat on June 8, 2023 AWARDS For this second edition, a total of $46,000 in creative grants will be awarded to the winners. Nine prizes will be awarded, along with grants that will enable the winners to make a film with professional resources. The Mobile Film Festival Africa is very honored to have been chosen this year as one of the official events of the "Rabat, African Capital of Culture" program. A Morocco Grand Prize will be dedicated to Moroccan talent, embodying the richness of Morocco's filmmaking. Here is the complete list of prizes: Africa Grand Prize: $10,000 Morocco Grand Prize: $10,000 This prize includes a 10-day screenwriting training residency at ENS Louis-Lumière in Paris, offered by the French Institute of Morocco Francophone Film Award: $5,000 in partnership with TV5 Monde ACP-EU Culture Award: $5,000 supported by the ACP-EU Culture program Screenplay Award: $5,000 supported by Canal Director's Prize: $5,000 Documentary Film Award: $5,000 Best Actress Award: $500 Best Actor Award: $500 In partnership with LAFAAAC, a mobile app for training in cultural professions, all participants will receive a reward: All directors submitting a film will receive a 50% discount on access to a training course All selected directors will have free access to a training course Finally, all winners will have unlimited access to the training courses in the LAFAAAC catalog and may even participate in future training courses as experts THE JURY The winners will be selected by an eminent jury representing the diversity of African cinema. By joining forces with us, they are enabling us to reach out to the next generation: Gad Elmaleh, Moroccan comedian, actor, and director, will be the jury president. Samia Akarriou, Moroccan actress, screenwriter, and director Sofia Alaoui, Moroccan director and screenwriter Françoise Ellong-Gomez, Beninese-Cameroonian screenwriter and director Rafiki Fariala, Congolese director and slam singer Fibby Kioria, Kenyan producer