Mina Mostefa's Rencontres Face à la Mer: Professionalizing Moroccan Photography

Mina Mostefa, who co-founded and directs the Rencontres Face à la Mer festival in Tangier, seeks to enhance the professionalism of Maghrebi photography while tackling isolation. The festival was established to address training deficiencies and provides workshops, portfolio critiques, and networking opportunities. In 2020, it transitioned online, resulting in a magazine produced with Revers Edition and Elsa Seignol. The following year, despite featuring fifteen photographers and mentors, the event was interrupted by the Omicron variant. Among the notable figures were Amine Houari, the 2021 Grand Prix recipient, and the late Yzza Slaoui. By partnering with private entities, the festival supports collectives like Koz Collective and Noorseen, promoting international visibility for photographers. Mostefa believes photography serves as a universal medium for youth to confront social challenges, particularly in empowering women.