The 22nd edition of the Marrakech International Film Festival, held under the high patronage of King Mohammed VI, kicked off on Friday evening at the Congress Palace in the Red City, in the presence of prominent figures from the realms of cinema, art, culture, and the media.
This new edition, which runs until December 6, kicked off in style with the customary procession of festival attendees and emblematic figures from Moroccan and international film luminaries, amidst the cheers of the enthusiastic audience and the lenses of photographers representing various Moroccan and foreign media outlets.
In a vibrant and friendly atmosphere, the audience warmly welcomed the President of the Jury of the official competition of this 22nd edition, Korean director Bong Joon Ho, as well as the Jury members: Brazilian-Algerian director, screenwriter, and visual artist Karim Aïnouz, Moroccan director Hakim Belabbes, French director and screenwriter Julia Ducournau, Iranian actor and filmmaker Payman Maadi, young American actress Jenna Ortega, Canadian screenwriter and director Celine Song, and Anglo-Argentine actress Anya Taylor-Joy.
Since its inception, the Marrakech International Film Festival has established itself as a place for dialogue and discovery, a space where cultures intersect and talent emerges, as put by Prince Moulay Rachid, President of the Festival’s Foundation, in a message posted on the Festival’s official website.
In just over two decades, the Festival has placed Morocco on the map of major international film events, while paying particular attention to the new voices from its home region and the diversity of perspectives that shape contemporary cinema, the message states, adding that this mission is being reinforced with the launch of the Atlas Programs, which feature the Atlas Workshops, Atlas Station, Atlas Distribution, and Atlas Press under a united banner, affirming the Foundation’s commitment to supporting new generations of filmmakers, from writing to distribution, production to criticism.
In this regard, Prince Moulay Rachid pointed out that Atlas Workshops have particularly developed into a privileged space for training, mentorship, and discovery, and that every year, the program welcomes new directors, producers, film students, and emerging critics from Morocco, the Arab world, and the African continent.
“Through intensive sessions, meetings with renowned professionals, and concrete opportunities for development, the workshops offer these filmmakers the tools, networks, and confidence they need to make their voices heard,” he stated further.
This 2025 edition also marks the creation of the Atlas Distribution Meetings, a unique event that will gather 60 professionals from Africa, the Arab world, and Europe, an initiative through which the Festival confirms its role as a structuring platform, promoting the distribution of films and the emergence of new narratives.
True to its mission of recognizing and celebrating talents of world cinema, this year’s Festival pays tribute to four exceptional figures: Moroccan actor Raouya, whose career illustrates the vitality of our national scene; US actor Jodie Foster, an icon of world cinema; Egyptian actor Hussein Fahmi, a legend of Arab cinema; and Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, a visionary master of contemporary storytelling.
The Jury, chaired by South Korean director Bong Joon Ho, embodies the artistic excellence and cultural diversity for which the Festival is renowned, Prince Moulay Rachid said, adding that “through the eyes of the jurors, newly revealed talents deliver stories that reflect the complexity of our times and the richness of our identities.”
Highlighting that “the 22nd edition of the Marrakech International Film Festival unfolds this year in a world in flux, one in which cinema remains, more than ever, an essential reference point: a space for sharing and a universal language capable of bringing people together, enlightening our societies, and broadening our horizons,” Prince Moulay Rachid expressed wishes that this year’s Festival, “relying on the power of cinema and the richness of the exchanges it inspires, contributes to strengthening the ability of peoples to meet, engage in dialogue, and build a more just, united, and enlightened world together.”
During the opening ceremony, the Jury President, Oscar and Palme d’Or-winning director Bong Joon Ho, highlighted the rich journey of the Marrakech International Film Festival, a major cultural event brimming with exceptional energy, which has showcased a wide range of cinematic experiences since its inception.
The world-renowned director also expressed his joy in being part of the festival’s rich history, emphasizing its significant contribution to the global cinematic landscape over the years, while offering the opportunity to discover authentic Moroccan creations.
A highlight of the opening ceremony was a tribute to the iconic figure of Egyptian and Arab cinema, actor, director, and producer Hussein Fahmi, who received the Golden Star from his compatriot, star Youssra.
The opening ceremony also featured the screening of Dead Man’s Wire by director Gus Van Sant, which recounts the true story of Tony Kiristis, a man ruined by a loan.
In this edition, thirteen feature films are competing for the “Golden Star” in the official competition. These include Behind the Palm Trees by Meryem Benm’Barek (France – Morocco – Belgium – United Kingdom), First Light by James J. Robinson (Australia – Philippines), Before the Bright Day by Shih‑Han Tsao (Taiwan), My Father’s Shadow by Akinola Davies Jr. (Nigeria – United Kingdom), Laundry by Zamo Mkhwanazi (South Africa – Switzerland), and Amoeba by Siyou Tan (Singapore – Netherlands – France – Spain – Korea).
Also featured in this competition are Ish by Imran Perretta (United Kingdom), Broken Voices by Ondřej Provazník (Czech Republic – Slovakia), Forastera by Lucía Aleñar Iglesias (Spain – Sweden – Italy), Promised Sky by Erige Sehiri (Tunisia – France – Qatar), Straight Circle by Oscar Hudson (United Kingdom), Memory by Vladlena Sandu (France – Netherlands), My Father and Qaddafi by Jihan K (Libya – United States), and Aisha Can’t Fly Away by Morad Mostafa (Egypt – France – Germany – Tunisia – Saudi Arabia – Qatar – Sudan).
