The controversial festival opened on 6 June in Dakhla, a city in the part of Western Sahara that has been under Moroccan control since 1975. The festival is funded by Moroccan public institutions and is described by its organisers as a cultural event taking place in “Dakhla, Morocco”.

Among this year’s international jury members is Norwegian film producer Anders Tangen, known for productions such as Exit, Lilyhammer and Norsemen (Vikingane). Norwegian broadcaster TV 2 reported on the controversy ahead of the weekend.

Video footage published by the festival shows Tangen on stage during the official opening ceremony. He is introduced before an audience in a hall decorated with Moroccan national symbols, where a large portrait of King Mohammed VI is displayed next to the stage.

Moroccan media outlets were present at the event.

“International guests such as Tangen are the festival’s most valuable asset. Their presence is used to create the impression of international acceptance of Morocco’s control over Western Sahara. We condemn Tangen’s lack of respect for the Saharawi people’s right to self-determination,” said Erik Hagen, Chair of the Norwegian Support Committee for Western Sahara.

The festival is used by the Moroccan authorities as a tool to promote the image of Western Sahara as an integral part of Morocco. The participation of international guests is frequently highlighted in Moroccan media as evidence of international support and normalisation.

Dakhla is not located within internationally recognised Moroccan territory, but in Western Sahara, which the United Nations continues to classify as a Non-Self-Governing Territory. No state or international organisation recognises Morocco’s sovereignty over the territory, and most of Western Sahara has been under Moroccan control since 1975.