2025 Annual Awards Interview: Moroccan Director Saaid Hasbi of “Evasion 1944”

Join host Olivia Lyle (@olivialyle1) for an exclusive interview with with Moroccan-born, Belgium-based filmmaker Saaid Hasbi, captured by Kyle Reed (@thekylereed) at the 7th Annual Independent Shorts Awards at Regal LA Live, Los Angeles. His film Evasion 1944, led by Abdou Gafari Inoussa, Philippe Seidoff, and Boujemaa El Bateoui, is a powerful tribute to the forgotten African tirailleurs of World War II and went on to win Best Drama Short at this year’s edition.

The screening at Independent Shorts Awards marked the North America premiere of Evasion 1944, giving audiences their first opportunity to experience the film on the big screen.

A Filmmaker’s Journey

Hasbi’s path into cinema has been shaped by a unique blend of disciplines. A filmmaker, screenwriter, and composer, he has lived in Belgium since 1996, studying at the SAE Institute in Brussels before earning certifications from Berklee College of Music and the Raindance International Film Program. His training continued under Belgian director Gérald Frydman and actress-director Beatriz Flores Silva, influences that helped him develop a style marked by sensitivity and poetic realism.

From Ahlam to Evasion 1944

With earlier shorts such as Ahlam (2017) and I Wanna Fly (2020), Hasbi explored themes of resilience and human dignity. Evasion 1944 extends that vision into the realm of historical drama, drawing inspiration from the legacy of his father, a Moroccan tirailleur who fought alongside French troops during the Second World War.

Director Saaid Hasbi with lead actors Abdou Gafari Inoussa, Boujemaa El Bateoui, and Phillippe Seidoff

Inside the Story

Set against the backdrop of occupied France, Évasion 1944 follows two Moroccan tirailleurs who escape captivity but are forced down separate paths. One finds shelter with an elderly French couple, while the other struggles to survive alone. With tense, fast-paced sequences and starkly human moments, the film captures the brutality of war while revealing flashes of compassion and courage.

The performances of Abdou Gafari Inoussa, Philippe Seidoff, and Boujemaa El Bateoui ground the story in emotional truth, embodying both the trauma of displacement and the strength of survival.

A Tribute Through Cinema

For Hasbi, Evasion 1944 is more than a war story — it is a cinematic act of remembrance. By spotlighting African soldiers whose sacrifices were long neglected, he ensures their courage is not confined to history books but felt as lived human experience. The film’s urgency, intensity, and emotional depth combine to honor those who fought for freedom far from home.

Enjoy the interview below, along with the trailer for Evasion 1944, for a brief glimpse into the film.