Freshly called-up Moroccan football player and PUMA talent Samir El Mourabet features in STARBORN, an ode to the Moroccan diaspora, its heritage and a new generation, ahead of the World Cup.
Created in collaboration with PUMA, Maghreb Diaspora and Foot Locker, STARBORN is a cinematic short film and editorial project celebrating the identity, legacy and cultural influence of the Moroccan diaspora.
Launching at a defining moment for Moroccan football and culture, the project coincides with the official announcement of Morocco’s final FIFA World Cup squad, in which featured PUMA talent Samir El Mourabet has been selected to represent the Moroccan National Team on football’s biggest stage.
Shot across Paris, one of the most influential cultural capitals of the Moroccan diaspora, the film captures the energy, pride and cultural influence of a generation shaping contemporary culture through football, music, fashion and creativity.
Featured throughout the film are PUMA’s new Morocco jerseys, symbolizing a new era for Moroccan football ahead of the World Cup and reinforcing the connection between sport, identity and culture at the heart of the film.
From the cast to the creative direction, the entire project is deeply rooted in Moroccan culture and community. The cast, extras and much of the production crew come from Moroccan diaspora backgrounds, while the styling features multiple Moroccan diaspora-owned brands.
“The project is about more than visibility. It’s about legacy,” says Jaouad, founder of Maghreb Diaspora. “For generations, Moroccans across Europe carried culture quietly within their homes and communities. Today, a new generation is expressing that identity proudly and globally through sport, music, fashion and creativity.”
“The inspiration for the film came from a memory many Moroccans share; learning to draw the Moroccan star from their grandparents. I personally remember my grandfather teaching me how to draw it as a child. That simple but powerful memory became the emotional starting point and red thread throughout the film.”
The film features three talents representing different dimensions of contemporary Moroccan diaspora culture:
- Samir El Mourabet, freshly called up to Morocco’s World Cup squad and representing a new generation of football talent carrying Moroccan identity onto the world stage
- Charaf, content creator and cultural storyteller sharing Moroccan culture with a global audience
- Nayra, an artist blending modern sound with influences rooted in Moroccan culture and identity
