Youth emigration is one of the major problems facing the oases of southern Morocco. Hicham, seen here, emigrated to France, and after a year and several difficult and poorly paying jobs, he decided to return to Morocco. To his surprise, no one, including family, encouraged him. Today, Hicham is a fulfilled young man, happy to be in Morocco. He lives in Agadir and works for an association that helps poor and homeless children. © M’hammed Kilito / VII.
Location
Casablanca, Morocco
Work
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M’hammed Kilito

Contributing Photographer

M’hammed Kilito (b. 1981, Lviv) is a documentary photographer residing in Casablanca. His artistic journey revolves around exploring the intricate connections and bonds that individuals and groups form with their environments – be it places of residence, memories, or transit points. Kilito’s work is dedicated to capturing narratives that provide insight into this profound connection, delving into subjects like cultural identity, labor sociology, and the impacts of climate change.

He is a National Geographic Explorer, a Magnum Foundation grantee, a World Press Photo winner, a Prince Claus Fund and AFAC Grantee. Kilito holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Montreal and a Master’s degree in Political Science from Ottawa University.

His work has garnered awards and grants, including the Louis Roederer Prize for Sustainability, Contemporary African Photography Prize, Photography Prize of Fondation des Treilles, and Sheikh Saoud Al Thani Project Award. He has also been a finalist for the Leica Oskar Barnack Award and nominated for Prix Pictet. His photography has been showcased in various festivals and venues worldwide, including the Leica Ernst Leitz Museum (Germany), Sharjah Art Foundation (UAE), 1:54 Art Fair (France), Tate Modern (UK), PhotoESPAÑA Festival (Spain), National Museum of Photography (Morocco), Addis Foto Fest (Ethiopia), Format Festival (UK), Bosnia and Herzegovina National Museum (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Photo Vogue Festival (Italy), and Misk Art Institute (Saudi Arabia). His work has also been featured in publications such as The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The British Journal of Photography, Vogue Italia, L’Express, Liberation, and El Pais.

Together with three other Moroccan visual artists, Kilito co-founded KOZ, a collective dedicated to telling compelling stories through long-term projects.