Life Style: Moroccan filmmaker Maryam Touzani and Egyptian director Tarik Saleh's films shortlisted for Academy Awards 

DUBAI: One step closer to knowing the 2023 Oscar nominees, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences released its shortlists for 10 categories on Wednesday, with three films by directors from the MENA region making the cut. 

Moroccan filmmaker Maryam Touzani’s “The Blue Caftan” has been shortlisted for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film, it was just announced. Starring Palestinian actor Saleh Bakri as well as Lubna Azabal and Ayoub Messioui, the film made a mark at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.