Marrakech International Film Festival
 Marrakech International Film Festival logo | |
| Location | Marrakech, Morocco |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2001 |
| Awards | Étoile d'Or (Golden Star) – awarded as the festival’s Grand Prize |
| Festival date | Held annually between November and December |
| Language | English Arabic French Amazigh |
| Website | marrakech-festival |
The Marrakech International Film Festival (FIFM) (Arabic: المهرجان الدولي للفيلم بمراكش, Amazigh: ⴰⵏⵎⵓⴳⴳⴰⵔ ⴰⴳⵔⴰⵖⵍⴰⵏ ⵏ ⵍⴼⵉⵍⵎ ⴳ ⵎⵕⵕⴰⴽⵛ) is an international film festival held annually in Marrakech, Morocco. It was established in 2001 to promote cinematic arts and foster cultural exchange. The festival is organized by the Marrakech International Film Festival Foundation.
Recognized as one of the leading film festivals in the Arab world and Africa,[1] the Marrakech International Film Festival attracts filmmakers, actors, and film industry professionals from around the globe. Its program typically features a range of international and regional films, including feature films, short films, and tributes to prominent figures in cinema. The event plays a significant role in supporting emerging artists and promoting dialogue between different cultures through film.[2]
Overview
[edit]Since its inaugural year, the FIFM has become one of the most prominent events celebrating Moroccan and international cinema. The city of Marrakech, where the festival is held, has also served as a filming location for numerous movie productions.
The International Film Festival of Marrakech is chaired by Prince Moulay Rachid of Morocco.
In 2023, the festival emphasized global diversity and showcased a special tribute to Moroccan cinema following the tragic earthquake that affected the region.[3]
History
[edit]Creation (2001)
[edit]The festival was created in 2001.[4][5] The initiative came from King Mohammed VI of Morocco, advised notably by French film producer Daniel Toscan du Plantier.[4]
From the outset, the Marrakech International Film Festival was envisioned as an open platform for showcasing works from around the world, fostering cultural dialogue, and celebrating the art of cinema.[6][5] Other objectives included supporting the development of the film industry in Morocco and promoting a positive image of the country internationally.[4]
Establishment of the Marrakech International Film Festival Foundation (2002–2003)
[edit]To provide an institutional framework for the event, King Mohammed VI established the Marrakech International Film Festival Foundation ahead of the festival’s second edition, appointing Prince Moulay Rachid as its president.
Daniel Toscan du Plantier, who initially co-organized and led the festival, died in February 2003 from a heart attack at the age of 61. Following his death, his widow, Mélita Toscan du Plantier, who had previously served as director of external relations and protocol for the first two editions, was appointed director of the festival.[7][8]
Changes to the festival's governance (2004)
[edit]In 2004, the Marrakech International Film Festival Foundation revised its statutes and restructured the event's organization. Permanent offices were established in Marrakech to provide a year-round base for the festival’s activities. Two new vice-presidents were appointed: Nour-Eddine Saïl, Director General of the Centre cinématographique marocain, and Faïçal Laraïchi, President and CEO of the Société nationale de radiodiffusion et de télévision (SNRT).[9]
That same year, the co-organization of the festival was entrusted to the event agency Le Public Système Cinéma (part of the Hopscotch Groupe), represented by its president Lionel Chouchan and director general Bruno Barde. This collaboration between the Foundation and Le Public Système Cinéma remains the organizational model of the festival today.
Awards
[edit]
At the 21st edition in 2024, the Étoile d'Or was awarded to the Palestinian film Happy Holidays directed by Scandar Copti.[10] The Jury Prize was shared between The Cottage by Argentine director Silvina Schnicer and Spanish-Argentine director Ulises Porra, and The Village Next to Paradise by Somali filmmaker Mo Harawe. The Best Director award was presented to Polish director Damian Kocur for his film Under the Volcano. The Best Actress award was shared by Wafaa Aoun and Manar Shehab for their performances in Happy Holidays, while the Best Actor award was given to Roman Lutskyi for Under the Volcano.[11]
Jury
[edit]The festival's jury, composed of distinguished writers, actors and cultural figures, awards the best Moroccan and foreign feature and short films.
In 2013, the Jury of the 13th edition of the Marrakech International Film Festival included president of the jury Martin Scorsese and jury members Fatih Akin, Patricia Clarkson, Marion Cotillard, Amat Escalante, Golshifteh Farahani, Anurag Kashyap, Narjiss Nejjar, Park Chan-wook and Paolo Sorrentino, choosing award winners amongst the 15 international feature films in competition.[12]
In 2022, the Jury of the 19th edition included Italian director Paolo Sorrentino serving as president, Danish writer/director Susanne Bier, American actor and producer Oscar Isaac, British actor Vanessa Kirby, German actor Diane Kruger, Australian director Justin Kurzel, Lebanese director and actor Nadine Labaki, Moroccan director Laïla Marrakchi and French-Algerian actor Tahar Rahim.[13]
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In 2023, the Jury of the 20th edition included American actress and producer Jessica Chastain serving as president, Iranian actor Zar Amir, French actor Camille Cottin, Australian actor and director Joel Edgerton, British director Joanna Hogg, American director Dee Rees, Swedish-Egyptian director Tarek Saleh, Swedish actor Alexander Skarsgård and French-Moroccan writer Leïla Slimani.[14][15]
In 2024, the Jury of the 21st edition included Italian director Luca Guadagnino serving as president, Iranian-Danish director Ali Abbasi, Indian director Zoya Akhtar, American actress and director Patricia Arquette, Belgian-French actress Virginie Efira, Australian actor Jacob Elordi, British-American actor Andrew Garfield, Moroccan actress Nadia Kounda and Argentine director Santiago Mitre.[16][17]
Ceremonies
[edit]| Edition | Year | President of the Jury | Best Film (Étoile d'Or Winner) | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2001 | Jean-Pierre Jeunet | Inch'Allah Dimanche | Yamina Benguigui | First edition of the festival. |
| 2nd | 2002 | Jeanne Moreau | Go | Isao Yukisada | Focused on Asian cinema. |
| 3rd | 2003 | Roman Polanski | Gori vatra | Pjer Žalica | Strong presence of Balkan films. |
| 4th | 2004 | Alan Parker | Sideways | Alexander Payne | Homage to American independent cinema. |
| 5th | 2005 | Jean-Jacques Annaud | Saratan | Ernest Abdyshaparov | Central Asia spotlight. |
| 6th | 2006 | Miloš Forman | The Red Cockatoo | Dominik Graf | Tribute to German cinema. |
| 7th | 2007 | Michael Lonsdale | Autumn Ball | Veiko Õunpuu | Focus on Eastern European filmmakers. |
| 8th | 2008 | Barry Levinson | Wild Field (Dikoe Pole) | Mikhail Kalatozov | Strong Russian cinema representation. |
| 9th | 2009 | Abbas Kiarostami | Norteado | Rigoberto Pérezcano | Tribute to Latin American cinema. |
| 10th | 2010 | Emir Kusturica | The Journals of Musan | Park Jung-bum | Korean cinema recognized. |
| 11th | 2011 | Emir Kusturica | Out of Bounds | Frederikke Aspöck | Scandinavian cinema award. |
| 12th | 2012 | John Boorman | The Attack | Ziad Doueiri | Strong Arab cinema selection. |
| 13th | 2013 | Martin Scorsese | Han Gong-ju | Lee Su-jin | Homage to Asian emerging directors. |
| 14th | 2014 | Isabelle Huppert | Corrections Class | Ivan I. Tverdovsky | Focus on youth in cinema. |
| 15th | 2015 | Francis Ford Coppola | Very Big Shot | Mir-Jean Bou Chaaya | Lebanese cinema honored. |
| 16th | 2016 | Béla Tarr | The Donor | Zang Qiwu | China recognized for storytelling. |
| 17th | 2018 | James Gray | Joy | Sudabeh Mortezai | Austrian-Iranian filmmaker spotlight. |
| 18th | 2019 | Rebecca Zlotowski | Valley of Souls | Nicolás Rincón Gille | Latin America again prominent. |
| 19th | 2022 | Paolo Sorrentino | A Tale of Shemroon | Emad Aleebrahim Dehkordi | Iranian youth cinema focus. |
| 20th | 2023 | Jessica Chastain | The Mother of All Lies | Asmae El Moudir | Moroccan documentary awarded. |
| 21st | 2024 | Luca Guadagnino | Happy Holidays | Scandar Copti | Palestinian cinema recognition. |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Marrakech Festival Highlights American, Arab, African Cinema". Voice of America. 2023-11-26. Retrieved 2025-04-27.
- ^ "About the festival". Marrakech International Film Festival. Retrieved 2025-04-27.
- ^ Hopewell, John (2023-11-26). "Marrakech Film Festival Puts Moroccan Cinema Center Stage". Screen Daily. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
- ^ a b c "À quoi sert le Festival de Marrakech ? – Jeune Afrique". Jeune Afrique (in French). 2008-12-13. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
- ^ a b Séguret, Olivier (2001-10-03). "Marrakech, un écran sur le monde". Libération (in French). Retrieved 2025-04-26.
- ^ Khanoussi, Jamal (2024-11-29). "Le Festival international du film de Marrakech : un dialogue mondial au coeur du Maroc". SNRT News (in French). Retrieved 2025-04-26.
- ^ "Mélita Toscan Du Plantier, directrice du Festival international du film de Marrakech". VH Magazine (in French). 2016-10-09. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
- ^ "Il faut se battre pour être productrice : Mélita Toscan du Plantier, l'une des rares femmes à avoir dirigé un festival de cinéma". France Info (in French). 2018-12-17. Retrieved 2025-04-26.
- ^ MAP (2007-12-09). "S.A.R. le Prince Moulay Rachid préside un dîner". Le Matin.ma (in French). Retrieved 2025-04-27.
- ^ "Palestinian film 'Happy Holidays' heads winners at Marrakech Film Festival". Screen Daily. 2024-12-08. Retrieved 2025-04-26.
- ^ "The Jury of the 21st Edition of the Marrakech International Film Festival Awards the Étoile d'Or to the Palestinian Film Happy Holidays Directed by Scandar Copti" (PDF). Marrakech International Film Festival Official. 2024-12-07. Retrieved 2025-04-26.
- ^ "Jury 2013". Archived from the original on 2013-12-31. Retrieved 2013-12-29.
- ^ Keslassy, Elsa (2023-10-09). "Jessica Chastain to Preside Over Marrakech Film Festival". Variety. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
- ^ "Joel Edgerton, Zar Amir, Camille Cottin, Joanna Hogg Set for Marrakech Festival Jury as Event Forges Ahead Despite Regional Tensions". Variety. 2023-10-27. Retrieved 2025-04-26.
- ^ Keslassy, Elsa (2023-10-09). "Jessica Chastain to Preside Over Marrakech Film Festival". Variety. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
- ^ "Festival jury". Marrakech International Film Festival. Retrieved 2025-04-26.
- ^ "Sean Penn, Tim Burton, Alfonso Cuarón, Justine Triet, Ava DuVernay, David Cronenberg, Todd Haynes Attend Marrakech Film Festival". Variety. 2024-12-01. Retrieved 2025-04-26.