Meet Sokaina Machkour of Morocco, Tangier

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sokaina Machkour.

Hi Sokaina, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Sokaina Machkour is a theatre artist and film director holding a Professional Theatre Training Certificate and a Professional Bachelor’s Degree in Cinematographic and Audiovisual Studies. I dedicate my artistic career to exploring the power of visual and dramatic narrative as a tool for the social integration of vulnerable groups. My core passion lies in theatrical and cinematic direction, creating works that reflect profound human challenges within society.I am considered a pioneer in merging art and community engagement, having had the honour of writing and directing the first-ever play for blind people impaired in Morocco, titled “Khalili”. This work transcended the limits of a traditional stage performance to become an inclusive human experience, involving blind actors and featuring sign language translation. I documented this journey in my feature-length documentary film, “Al Khashaba Assawda (The Black Stage)”.All these projects were produced by Al Sanaa for Artistic Production, establishing my unique methodology for working with non-traditional ensembles and fostering a bold directorial vision capable of engaging with all segments of society.My experience is further diversified, ranging from leading theatre workshops—where I successfully worked with various groups including children of single mothers, drug addicts, school dropouts, and blind people—to acting, an experience crowned by winning the Best Improvised Performance Actress award in Morocco in 2021. My cinematic achievements include representing Morocco at several international festivals and winning the Best Director Award at the Marrakech International Very Short Film Festival, alongside multiple accolades and honourable mentions for my short film, “JUST ME AND MY MIRROR

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My artistic journey did not begin easily. Initially, I faced a core challenge: the dearth of sufficient professional training in theatre within my city. This inadequacy pushed me towards a path of individual artistic and cognitive growth, relying on personal efforts to deepen my knowledge base in theatre.
The Clash of Academic Track and Art
Simultaneously, I was under dual pressure due to my commitment to my academic path. The challenges I encountered consistently threatened my artistic career. Nevertheless, upon obtaining my Bachelor’s degree in Private Law, I made a decisive choice: I chose art, driven by the conviction that it is the essence of my human existence and something I cannot live without.
Production Challenges and Artistic Support
Today, however, I am confronting a different set of difficulties, primarily related to the limited mechanisms for financial support for artistic work and the lengthy procedural path required to obtain project funding. These bureaucratic and financial constraints currently pose a direct threat to the quality of the artwork and the potential for its realization as envisioned.
Despite all the challenges, artistic passion remains the fundamental drive for continuity, coupled with the urgent need to simplify the procedures for supporting and funding creation to ensure the sustainability and excellence of the artistic scene.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
1. What exactly is my work? And what is my specialty?

I am an artist, theatre, and cinema facilitator (trainer). My core specialty is transformative theatre and cinema coaching. I began by conducting specialized workshops in educational institutions for over three years. However, the specialty that truly shaped my artistic identity is working with socially vulnerable and marginalized groups, specifically children of single mothers who face identity challenges, school dropouts, as well as the visually impaired and blind. My work focuses on utilizing art as a tool for equity and empowering these groups to express themselves and alleviate the harshness of their difficult realities.
2. What am I most proud of?

Directing the film “Me and the Mirror”, which was distinguished by its participation in over seven international film festivals.
Directing a play with a full cast of blind actors, making it the first work of its kind in Morocco to be fully translated into sign language. This achievement, in particular, represents the culmination of my vision to make art accessible to everyone.

3. What makes you different from others?

What distinguishes my artistic journey is its deep human dimension and unconventional path. Instead of being confined to readily available training, I relied on individual cognitive growth and decisively transitioned from an academic background in Private Law to choose art. The fundamental difference lies in the fact that I did not stop at mere artistic self-realization; I touched the hearts of the underprivileged and marginalized through art. I placed these groups in the center of attention and under the spotlights, discovering that the journey of artistic ascent alongside individuals who had no support other than me has a uniquely different flavor.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I like best about Los Angeles is the vast cultural diversity and the active art scene, which creates endless opportunities for collaboration and meaningful social creation. What I like least is the immense financial and bureaucratic challenges faced by independent artists in securing necessary funding for their non-commercial projects, which threatens the sustainability of serious artistic work.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sokaina_machkour?igsh=eTRkMTlyMWY5Zzl3
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1bgLn3RRLJ/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/machkour-sokaina-85600520a

Image Credits
Sokaina Machkour