The Centre Cinématographique Marocain (CCM), Morocco's state film agency, has rescheduled the 26th Festival National du Film from 23–31 October 2026 to March 2027. The decision was announced in a communiqué dated 1 September.
The CCM said the change followed requests from several professional organizations and industry figures. It cited the concentration of national and international festivals in October, with overlaps that limit the participation of Moroccan professionals and films, as well as the premiere-screening requirements required by leading international festivals.
The CCM said the March slot positions the festival as the year's first major national cinema event, opening a season that closes internationally at the Festival International du Film de Marrakech.
Entries for the 26th edition closed on 15 June 2026, and prints were due at the festival secretariat by 15 September. The competition was open to Moroccan films completed in 2025 or 2026. The communiqué does not address whether those terms will be revised.