MARESIA
Written by Cristina Da Luz
Directed by Zamzam Elmoge
Maresia reclaims horror within Cape Verdean cinema, drawing from folklore and the sea to explore loss, isolation, and its power as both refuge and threat. As one of the first Cape Verdean horror films, it opens space for new ways of telling African stories within the genre.
After the death of her daughter, Fátima’s descent into madness exposes a grief often suppressed, a burden borne by women whose suffering is overshadowed by duty. The hallucinations that surround her reflect the lasting scars of drought and famine that still haunt the islands.
ORIGINS : ISSUE 03
ORIGINS : Issue No. 3 of the 32MM Gazette, created in collaboration with 32MM, expands the world of MARESIA through short stories and exclusive behind-the-scenes photography exploring love, fate, motherhood, and life by the sea.
Behind the Scenes
A closer look at the making of MARESIA, featuring moments from set, the creative process, and the team behind the film. These images document the work that brought the story to life.
In the Press
Maresia has received media coverage across Cabo Verde, with additional features in Portugal and Canada, highlighting the film’s engagement with folklore and psychological depth.
Seed&Spark Campaign
Help carry MARESIA through post-production, and festival circulation, . Your support directly sustains the film’s next chapter.