Doha Film Institute
  • Log in
Made in Morocco – Short Films Programme
Discover the vibrant voices of Moroccan cinema at the Ajyal Film Festival. In celebration of the Qatar-Morocco Year of Culture, these compelling short films offer an authentic view of Moroccan life and culture.
Through poetic imagery, this film captures the subtle connection between two generations of women as they navigate memory, routine, and the quiet gestures that bridge past and present.
This visually intimate film explores the bond between Hayat and her late grandmother, conveyed through the simplest of gestures. As Hayat prepares meals and reflects on her past, the memories of her grandmother return through the actions of her hands. These quiet moments illustrate how routine and repetition can preserve a connection across time. What Else Grows on the Palm of Your Hand? is a poignant look at how the small, seemingly insignificant actions of daily life keep loved ones present long after they are gone.

Credits

Director
Dhiaa Biya
Producer
Walid Bekhti Ammour
Executive Producer
Kenza Alouia
Co-Producer
Malfamè
Cinematographer
Gaston Pepin Struye
Editor
Vince De Leenheer
Production Company
Chams Prod
Sound
Ismaël Iken
Other
Hind Moumou (Art director)
Cast
Najia Sabir, Zineb Abbad Al Andaloussi, Alaa Assab

About the Director

Dhiaa Biya
Dhiaa Biya is a Moroccan photographer and filmmaker based in Brussels. She earned her bachelor's degree in image techniques from L’Institut Supérieur des Métiers de l’Audiovisuel et du Cinéma in Rabat and pursued her master's in filmmaking at LUCA School of Arts. Dhiaa’s work often explores the beauty of everyday life and human interactions, using precise framing and composition to tell visually c