Nadir Bouhmouch

Born in Casablanca and raised in Rabat, Nadir Bouhmouch is a Moroccan filmmaker, human rights activist and feminist. In 2011, Nadir became an active member of the Moroccan pro-democracy 'February 20th movement' which has been responsible for widespread protests, the redrafting of the Moroccan constitution and the displacement of the former Moroccan government. He is also the co-founder of the Guerrilla Cinema movement, and is particularly interested in campaigning against filmmaking regulations in Morocco which he sees as a constraint on freedom of expression. Nadir directed, produced and wrote "My Makhzen & Me" (2011). Being the first film to cover a Moroccan oppositional movement, it would become a landmark in Moroccan cinema. "My Makhzen and Me" was released online as a non profit work to expose the February 20th Movement, and has gained international attention as a result. The film premiered on February 20th 2012, the one year anniversary of the protests in Morocco. On its release date, the documentary was projected in 16 different cities in 5 countries. Nadir was hailed as the 'bete noire of Moroccan directors' by SlateAfrique Magazine, as his film, directly addressed the oppressive methodology of the Makhzen against the people, revealing issues that no other Moroccan filmmaker dared to touch. He has just recently released his first feature documentary, 475 which exposes the Amina Filali affair- the suicide of a 16 year old Moroccan girl who was allegedly forced to marry her rapist. The film won the Jury award for 2013 'Best Social Activism' from Deutsche Welle and Reporters Without Borders' "The Bobs" awards.