Filmmakers from Tunisia, Algeria and Moroccohave joined forces to launch Maghreb Cinemas, an international promotional bodyfor the three countries' film industries.

The initiative was unveiled during this year's Open Doorsworkshop in Locarno where 25 filmmakers from the Maghreb region presented newfeature projects to potential production partners from Western Europe.

Maghreb Cinemas will have antenna offices in Algiers,Casablanca and Tunis and will aim to help create 'better production,distribution, and a better legal and technical infrastructure' and promote a'free exchange of experiences and dialogues between the Maghreb cineastes ofall generations.'

The association announced that a second meeting offilm-makers who are members of Maghreb Cinemas will be held at Ouarzazate inMorocco at the Kanzaman Film School which was established with support from theRegione Lazio and the Istituto Luce.