Nabil Ayouch Biography: Age, Wife, Children, Net Worth, Height, Movies, Parents, Siblings, Awards

Nabil Ayouch is a celebrated Franco-Moroccan director, producer, and screenwriter whose bold films tackle sensitive social issues in Moroccan society, earning him international acclaim at festivals like Cannes and Berlinale.

Known for works like Ali Zaoua: Prince of the Streets and Much Loved, he has represented Morocco at the Oscars multiple times and founded Ali n’ Productions to support emerging filmmakers.

Profile

• Full Name: Nabil Ayouch
• Stage Name: Nabil Ayouch
• Born: April 1, 1969
• Age: 56 years old
• Birthplace: Paris, France
• Nationality: Franco-Moroccan
• Occupation: Film Director, Producer, Screenwriter
• Height: Unknown
• Parents: Noureddine Ayouch (father), French mother of Tunisian-Jewish descent
• Siblings: Hicham Ayouch (brother)
• Spouse: Maryam Touzani
• Children: One son
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $1 million to $10 million USD

Early Life and Education

Nabil Ayouch was born on April 1, 1969, in Paris, France, to a Moroccan-Muslim father, Noureddine Ayouch, a communication executive and founder of Zakoura, Morocco’s first microcredit association, and a French mother of Tunisian-Jewish descent.

His exposure to international cinema at the Forum des Cholettes cultural center in Sarcelles inspired his filmmaking career.

From 1987 to 1990, he studied theater and directing in Paris under Sarah Boréo and Michel Granvale, laying the foundation for his multifaceted career in cinema.

Career

Nabil Ayouch began his career in 1992 as a scriptwriter and director at the advertising agency Euro-RSCG, directing commercials before transitioning to short films.

His debut short, Les Pierres bleues du désert (1992), featured Jamel Debbouze and explored a young man’s obsession with blue stones in the desert.

He followed with Hertzienne Connexion (1993) and Vendeur de silence (1994), both earning international festival awards.

His first feature, Mektoub (1997), set a Moroccan box-office record with over 350,000 admissions and was Morocco’s Oscar submission.

Ali Zaoua: Prince of the Streets (2000) won the Ecumenical Award at the Montreal World Film Festival and was another Oscar submission.

Ayouch founded Ali n’ Productions in 1999 to support young filmmakers, producing eight short films and creating the Mohamed Reggab Award for scripts.

His films Une minute de soleil en moins (2002) and Whatever Lola Wants (2007), produced by Pathé, explored diverse themes, with the latter distributed in over 30 countries.

His 2011 documentary My Land examined Palestinian exiles, while Horses of God (2012), based on the 2003 Casablanca bombings, won the François Chalais Award at Cannes’ Un Certain Regard.

Much Loved (2015), a controversial film about prostitution in Marrakech, was banned in Morocco but won the Valois d’Or and Best Actress at Angoulême, achieving 280,000 admissions in France.

Razzia (2017) premiered at Toronto, and Casablanca Beats (2021) was the first Moroccan film in Cannes’ official competition.

Ayouch produced his wife Maryam Touzani’s films Adam (2019) and The Blue Caftan (2022), the latter shortlisted for the Oscars and winning over 50 awards.

His latest film, Everybody Loves Touda (2024), was Morocco’s 2024 Oscar submission, and he is set to direct a French-language thriller in 2025 starring Virginie Efira and Maryam Touzani.

Awards and Nominations

• 2000: Ali Zaoua: Prince of the Streets – Ecumenical Award, Montreal World Film Festival.
• 2007: Whatever Lola Wants – Grand Prix, National Film Festival, Tangier.
• 2012: Horses of God – François Chalais Award, Cannes Film Festival (Un Certain Regard); Morocco’s entry for 85th Academy Awards.
• 2015: Much Loved – Valois d’Or and Valois for Best Actress, Angoulême Film Festival; selected for Cannes Directors’ Fortnight.
• 2021: Casablanca Beats – Official Competition, Cannes Film Festival (first Moroccan film).
• 2023: The Blue Caftan (Producer) – FIPRESCI Prize, Cannes Un Certain Regard; shortlisted for 95th Academy Awards.
• 2025: Berlin Film Festival – Jury Member, presided by Todd Haynes.
• French Order of Arts and Letters, recognizing his contributions to cinema.

Social Media

Nabil Ayouch does have a social media account.

Personal Life

Nabil Ayouch, a prominent filmmaker, is 56 years old and married to Moroccan filmmaker and actress Maryam Touzani.

They met when Touzani, then a journalist writing about Maghreb cinema for a London guide, interviewed him.

The couple has one son and collaborates frequently, with Ayouch producing and co-writing Touzani’s films like Adam and The Blue Caftan.

Based in Casablanca, Ayouch is deeply engaged in socio-cultural initiatives, founding the Ali Zaoua Foundation in 2014 to establish the Les Étoiles de Sidi Moumen Cultural Center for youth in Casablanca’s outskirts.

Filmography

• Les Pierres bleues du désert (1992) – Director, Screenwriter (Short).
• Hertzienne Connexion (1993) – Director, Screenwriter (Short).
• Vendeur de silence (1994) – Director, Screenwriter (Short).
• Mektoub (1997) – Director, Screenwriter.
• Ali Zaoua: Prince of the Streets (2000) – Director, Screenwriter, Producer.
• Une minute de soleil en moins (2002) – Director, Screenwriter (TV).
• Whatever Lola Wants (2007) – Director, Screenwriter.
• My Land (2011) – Director (Documentary).
• Horses of God (2012) – Director, Screenwriter.
• Much Loved (2015) – Director, Screenwriter.
• Razzia (2017) – Director, Screenwriter.
• Casablanca Beats (2021) – Director, Screenwriter.
• Adam (2019) – Producer.
• The Blue Caftan (2022) – Producer, Co-Screenwriter.
• Everybody Loves Touda (2024) – Director, Screenwriter.

Net Worth

Nabil Ayouch, a distinguished filmmaker, has an estimated net worth of $1 million to $10 million USD.

His wealth stems from directing, producing, and screenwriting films like Much Loved (280,000 admissions in France) and The Blue Caftan (over 500,000 international admissions).