Minister Plenipotentiary
Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in London
Imane Dryef is a career diplomat with more than 15 years of service in Morocco’s Foreign Affairs Corps. She currently serves as Minister Plenipotentiary at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in London. She has served in key postings, whether at the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs or abroad in South America and Southeast Asia, including as Deputy Ambassador of Morocco in Argentina and as Political Counsellor at the Moroccan Embassy in Thailand.
In her current role, she actively advances Morocco’s cultural diplomacy and strengthens partnerships between Moroccan institutions and the United Kingdom’s cultural, creative and academic sectors. Her work contributes to deepening bilateral understanding and fostering meaningful cultural and institutional collaboration.
Date
The session opens with an introduction by Imane Dryef, Minister Plenipotentiary (Moroccan Embassy), offering a concise perspective on Morocco’s support for international filmmaking and its growing role as a strategic production partner.
With that context set, location manager Christian McWilliams (UK), producer Michael Leahy (USA), and producer Said Andam (Morocco) delve into an honest debate and productional analysis of the ongoing “runaway to Morocco” shift. Together, they explore finance, production value, and the practical realities of making international productions work in today’s climate. The discussion dives into how a mixed, multicultural workforce operates on set — where creative diplomacy, shared expertise, and economic pragmatism meet. From rebate mechanics to on-the-ground collaboration, the panel examines why “runaway” doesn’t mean outsourcing, but rather expanding possibility — making ambitious productions achievable while creating real benefits for both visiting and local crews.
