After a devastating earthquake, 16-year-old Ilyas sets out from his Amazigh village to find medicine for his sick mother. In this satirical tale, he meets Abla, a wealthy 21-year-old stranded in the desert. Together, they navigate language and class divides in a darkly comedic fight for survival.

Taha Aziz is a Moroccan filmmaker based in New York, originally from Casablanca. His work explores identity, multiculturalism, and social justice through an intimate, anthropological lens. He is the recipient of the 2024 Chantal Akerman Grant for his upcoming film Donkey Skin (2025) and a nominee for the 2025 BAFTA Student Awards, representing City College of New York, where he is completing his MFA in Film.

Taha earned a BFA in Film from Pratt Institute. His short Amal (2019), a poignant story about a young immigrant woman in Brooklyn, won multiple awards including Best Director and Best Film. His work has been recognized at the New York Independent Film Festival, Los Angeles Film Awards, Oniros Film Awards, and more.

He has worked at Be Electric Studios, freelanced in visual media, and directed branded content for Nespresso, Nike MENA, and Paco Rabanne. He is currently developing a television pilot with Willa, an Emmy Award–winning and Academy Award–nominated production company.

Awarded

2025 NBR Student Grant

 

Type of Project

Narrative

Length

15:58

Program

City College

Producers

Taha Aziz, Kenza Benhalima

Writer and Editor

Taha Aziz

Cinematographer

Justin D’Orazio

Contact

Instagram