Zakia Tahiri

Zakia Tahiri is one of the most prominent figures in contemporary Moroccan cinema and a filmmaker committed to the visibility of women in the audiovisual industry. Born in France to a family of Moroccan origin, she grew up between two cultures, an experience that profoundly shaped her artistic sensibility and her understanding of cinema as a meeting place for diverse identities. Her career began as an actress in French and Moroccan productions during the 1980s and 1990s. That experience in front of the camera allowed her to gain an intimate understanding of the mechanisms of filmmaking and sparked her interest in directing and producing. Over time, she shifted her focus to making films centered on the social transformations of contemporary Morocco and the experiences of women within changing societies. As a director, she achieved widespread recognition with the film Number One, a social comedy that humorously and intelligently addresses the relationships between men and women in a society shaped by patriarchal traditions.

The film was widely acclaimed by audiences and critics for its ability to address issues of equality and coexistence from an accessible and relatable perspective. Beyond her films, she has actively participated in festivals, professional gatherings, and training programs aimed at supporting new generations of filmmakers. Through her work, she has established herself as a significant voice in Maghrebi cinema and as one of the filmmakers who has best reflected the cultural and social complexity of present-day Morocco on screen.

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