MENTORS AYWA
Hicham Lasri is a multidisciplinary artist who began exploring cinematic language and storytelling at an early age, writing his first plays and short stories as a teenager. His work spans film, literature, and graphic novels, and is known for its experimental form, raw energy, and sharp social observations. Whether through cinema or literature, Lasri consistently pushes creative boundaries with a distinctive and irreverent voice.
In 2011, he directed his first feature film, The End, followed by They Are the Dogs (2013), which resonated with both Arab and international audiences and garnered acclaim across global festivals. His third film, The Sea Is Behind (2014), premiered in Dubai and was selected for the Panorama section at the Berlinale in 2015, earning numerous festival awards. His acclaimed Starve Your Dog (2015), the second installment of his “dog trilogy,” premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and later at Berlinale 2016. He went on to direct Headbang Lullaby (2015) and Jahilya (2018), both of which were presented at the Berlinale in the Forum section. In 2024, his film Moroccan Badass Girl became the number one title in Morocco on Netflix.
As lead mentor of the AYWA residency, Hicham Lasri will accompany the selected filmmakers throughout their creative journey. His mentorship will be both artistic and structural, offering guidance at every stage of development and production.
Abderrahmane Sissako explores the complex relationship between the Global North and South, and the plight of a suffering African continent. Born in 1961 in Kiffa, Mauritania, he spent his childhood in Mali. In 1983, he began studying at the prestigious VGIK, the State Institute of Cinematography in Moscow. There, he directed his first two short films: Le Jeu and Octobre, the latter presented in 1993 in the "Un Certain Regard" section at the Cannes Film Festival.
Commissioned to reinterpret fables by La Fontaine, he created Le Chameau et les bâtons flottants (1995), followed by Sabriya – Le Carré de l’échiquier, part of the Africa Dreamings series. In 1998, he shot Life on Earth, a return to his native land echoing the works of Aimé Césaire. In 2002, he directed Waiting for Happiness, which won the FIPRESCI Prize at Cannes, the Étalon de Yennenga at FESPACO in Ouagadougou, and the Grand Prize at the Arab Film Biennale in Paris. In 2006, he filmed Bamako in his family home in Mali, which was screened out of competition at the Cannes Film Festival. His 2015 film Timbuktu, selected for the official competition at Cannes, was met with great acclaim, becoming the first Mauritanian film to be nominated for the Oscar for Best International Feature Film. In France, it won seven César Awards, including Best Director and Best Film.
As mentor of the residency program, Abderrahmane Sissako will offer the selected women filmmakers the benefit of his visionary and pioneering perspective on the world of cinema. His rich career and distinctive outlook will powerfully enhance the Foundation’s vision for this residency.
Sébastien Onomo has been working in film and television production for over a decade. To date, he has produced numerous television films, including Bois d'Ébène by Moussa Touré, Léon Blum: Hated and Loved, Rudy Gobert, and African Empires, a documentary series.
His feature film credits include Le Gang des Antillais by Jean-Claude Barny; Funan by Denis Do, which won the Cristal Award at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in 2018; La Forêt de Mademoiselle Tang by Denis Do, which premiered as a special event at Annecy 2023 and was nominated for Best Animated Short at the 2024 César Awards; and The Siren by Sepideh Farsi, which opened the Panorama section at the 2023 Berlinale, was selected at Annecy 2023, and received both Best Music and Best Director at the 2023 Champs-Élysées Film Festival.
He also co-produced Omen by Baloji, selected for the 2023 Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section, where it won the New Voice Award. Most recently, he produced Jean-Claude Barny’s latest feature film, Fanon, currently in theaters. Alongside his work as a producer, Sébastien was elected Vice President of the Syndicat des Producteurs Indépendants (SPI) in 2023, where he also serves as Chair of the Animation Division. That same year, he received the Animation Trophy from Le Film Français during the 2023 Annecy Festival. For many years, he has shared his expertise with academic programs (Paris 3, Paris 7) and top film schools including INA, La Fémis, and Gobelins. He is also the founder of the Panafrican Animation Workshop.
Lamia Chraibi is the founder and producer behind Moon & Deal Films, established in Paris in 2011, and La Prod, launched in Casablanca in 2007. She collaborates with acclaimed directors, championing bold storytelling and creative innovation.Her filmography includes the co-production of "Mimosas" by Oliver Laxe (Grand Prize, Critics’ Week – Cannes Film Festival 2016) and "Tegnap" by Bálint Kenyeres (Locarno Film Festival). Lamia has also produced notable titles such as "Achoura" by Talal Selhami, Morocco’s first genre movie (Best Film – Hardline Festival, Special Jury Mention – Sitges Fantastic Film Festival), and "Mica" by Ismaël Ferroukhi (Francophone Film Festival of Angoulême, 2020).
Her portfolio extends to documentaries, including "Ziyara" by Simone Bitton, "School of Hope" by Mohamed El Aboudi (Special Jury Prize – Hot Docs, Special Award – Tampere Film Festival), and "Genet, Our Father of the Flowers" by the late Dalila Ennadre. In 2021, Lamia took part in Film Independent’s Global Media Makers program and the EAVE European Producers Workshop. She is currently a member of ACE (Ateliers du Cinéma Européen), Europe’s leading network of experienced producers.
She also founded the Tamayouz Foundation, an initiative dedicated to the professional development of women in the Moroccan film industry through workshops, grants, and mentorship programs—working toward stronger representation of women in cinema.
Yasmina Tamer, born in 1980, spent her early childhood in Europe before her family returned to settle in Morocco. She grew up between Rabat and Casablanca, then pursued business studies at Université Paris Dauphine. After an initial career in the fashion industry, she transitioned into cinema through the Master’s program in Image and Society at the Université d’Évry Val d’Essonne, which combines film and visual anthropology.
She gained her first experience in film production with producers such as Vincent Wang (House on Fire Films), Delphine Schmit, and Gaëlle Jones (Perspective Films), contributing to the development of films like Youth by Wang Bing (Official Competition – Cannes) and Nuestras Madres by César Díaz (Caméra d'Or – Cannes). She later moved into international sales, working with Memento Films and then Le Pacte, where she was involved in the global distribution of acclaimed titles including Monos by Alejandro Landes (Best Film – BFI London), Call Me by Your Name by Luca Guadagnino (Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay), Good Time by the Safdie brothers, Everybody Knows by Asghar Farhadi, and The Wild Pear Tree by Nuri Bilge Ceylan—all three of the latter having premiered in competition at Cannes.
In 2021, Yasmina joined a project initiated by Nabil Ayouch: Aflamin, the first Moroccan-based streaming platform dedicated to cinema. This opportunity marked her return to Morocco after 22 years abroad, allowing her to contribute to the promotion of cinematic diversity in the region.
Trained at La Fémis, Pauline Morineau began her career as a Head of Development at a production company before working as an independent script consultant. She then spent 12 years at Canal+ as a Program Executive for Original Creation Series. Alongside this, she co-created La Fémis' feature film script analysis program, Expertise du scénario de Long Métrage, where she continues to teach. Today, she works as an independent script doctor, collaborating on both feature films and television series, while continuing to teach at several French film schools and lead screenwriting workshops.
Located in Marrakech, Digital Factory Studios is one of Morocco’s most advanced post-production facilities. As part of the Digital Factory group — founded by renowned filmmaker Luc Besson — the studio brings together international expertise and local talent, offering top-tier post services to both Moroccan and international productions. With a strong track record across feature films, series, and branded content, Digital Factory Studios is known for its deep understanding of storytelling. Its facilities are equipped for full-spectrum post-production.
As a key partner of the AYWA project, Digital Factory Studios will host the fourth and final session of the residency in Marrakech. During this phase, the ten participating filmmakers will finalize their short films in one-on-one sessions, each guided by experienced professionals from the studio’s core team:
Thomas Aymar - Artistic Director & Sound Engineer
Asmae Ziati - Head of Image & Lead Editor
David Magalhaes - Colorist & Finishing Artist
