Photo credits: Ahmed Boussarhane/LNT
The 21st edition of the Marrakech International Film Festival (FIFM) was officially inaugurated at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, in the presence of numerous personalities from cinema, art and culture. Placed under the High Patronage of King Mohammed VI, this annual event celebrates national and international cinema.
The opening ceremony was marked by the parade on the red carpet of major figures of cinema and members of the jury of the official competition. Italian director Luca Guadagnino chairs this year’s jury, which is made up of directors, actors and actresses from different regions of the world, including Andrew Garfield, Virginie Efira and Nadia Kounda.
A Varied Official Competition
Fourteen feature films from various countries are competing for the Golden Star, the festival’s flagship prize. These works, representing a diversity of genres and perspectives, include The Sea in the Distance by Saïd Hamich Benlarbi and Sudan, Remember by Hind Meddeb. The selected films demonstrate the festival’s commitment to promoting emerging and established filmmakers.
A Diverse Program
In addition to the official competition, the festival offers several sections, such as:
- Gala and special sessions,
- The panorama of Moroccan cinema, with 12 films on the program,
- A selection for young audiences and families,
- The “11th continent” section dedicated to experimental works.
The festival also highlights Moroccan cinema with several fictions and documentaries, some of which are screened as world premieres. Three tributes will be paid, notably to the Moroccan actress Naïma El Mcherqui, the American actor and director Sean Penn, and the Canadian director David Cronenberg.
Meetings and Support for Creation
The program Conversations features discussions with 18 influential film personalities, such as Tim Burton and Ava DuVernay, who will share their experiences and thoughts with the audience.
Furthermore, the Ateliers de l’Atlas, a support platform for filmmakers, are hosting 17 projects in development and 10 films in production this year. These initiatives reinforce the role of the festival as a player supporting cinematographic creation in the region.
Key Figures of the 21st Edition
- 71 films from 32 pays.
- 9 world premieres or international.
- 7 films representing their countries at the Oscars.
- 12 Moroccan films presented.
LNT
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