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Rabat – As it prepares to host its 20th edition from November 24 to December 2 this year, the Marrakech International Film Festival has announced a selection of films from around the world.
A total of seventy-five films hailing from 36 different countries will be featured in various sections of the festival, including the Official Competition, Gala Screenings, Special Screenings, The 11th Continent, a Panorama of Moroccan Cinema, Cinema for Young Audiences, screenings at Jemaa El Fna, and Tributes honoring esteemed figures in the world of cinema.
The official competition features a selection of first and second feature films, with an aim of unveiling new talent in the industry. Within the competition’s lineup of 14 films, an impressive 10 are by debut directors, eight of whom are women.
Hailing from diverse corners of the globe, these films represent the voices of thirteen countries. Among the nations contributing to this cinematic tapestry are three Latin American countries in Brazil, Chile, and Colombia, alongside three European nations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and the United Kingdom.
Other films represent Middle Eastern and African countries such as Madagascar, Morocco, Senegal, and Palestine.
The contenders for the Etoile d’Or award encompass an array of cinematic genres, from modern fable, documentary, and film noir to political satire, romance, and family drama.
The works featured in the Official Competition explore themes of education, memory preservation, and national history, depicting the journeys of young individuals in pursuit of purpose and liberty.
Various screenings
This year’s Marrakech International Film Festival includes six Gala Screenings of awaited international films including Matteo Garrone’s “I, Captain,” Michel Franco’s “Memory,” and Ivan Sen’s “Limbo.”
Alexander Payne’s “The Holdovers,” Moroccan filmmaker Faouzi Bensaidi’s “Deserts,” and Cedric Kahn’s “Making Of.”
Special Screenings at the festival will also spotlight 16 contemporary films, featuring celebrated directors like Nikolaj Arcel, Bertrand Bonello, Monia Chokri, Agnieszka Holland, Ladj Ly, and Alice Rohrwacher.
The program is also set to introduce emerging talents with notable works like Sofia Alaoui’s “Animalia,” Sudabeh Mortezai’s “Europa,” and Gabor Reisz’s “Explanation for Everything.”
Two renowned actors are also adding to the festival’s star-studded lineup, as Isabelle Huppert and Merve Dizdar present their latest films “Sidonie in Japan” and “About Dried Grasse.”
The 11th Continent program includes 13 drama and documentary films, bridging modern cinema with timeless classics.
It features works by directors such as Kleber Mendonça Filho, Lisandro Alonso, and Mona Achache, alongside fresh voices including Alain Kassanda, Rosine Mbakam, Vlad Petri, and Eduardo Williams.
The Panorama of Moroccan Cinema category will showcase six contemporary drama and documentary films, including Khalil Zairi’s “Mora Is Here,” Leila Kilani’s “Birdland,” and Adil El Fadili’s “My Dad is Not Dead.”
Read also: 2nd Marrakech Festival To Feature Storytellers from Every Continent
The Cinema for Young Audiences program includes 13 dedicated screenings for viewers aged 4 to 18, designed to raise film awareness among young people.
The festival will also take to Jemaa El Fna Square, where prominent figures will introduce a lineup of beloved films.
In the Tributes program, a curated collection of films associated with or created by the honored individuals takes center stage this year. The screenings will be hosted at the Palais des Congres, Le Colisee Cinema, and Jemaa El Fna Square, completing the festival’s selection of 75 films.
The 20th edition of the festival is set to kick off with the premiere of “Hit Man,” a comedy movie directed by Richard Linklater and featuring Glen Powell.
