Marrakech International Film Festival contributes to boosting Morocco’s film industry, developing its talents – Prince Moulay Rachid

“Since its historic launch in September 2001, the Marrakech International Film Festival has brought together some of the biggest names in the cinema world, confirmed Morocco as a prime destination for major foreign productions, and in so doing, the Festival contributes to the dynamism of Morocco’s film industry and the development of its talent,” stressed Prince Moulay Rachid, President of the Festival Foundation.

In a message posted on the Festival’s official website on the occasion of its 21st edition, which runs from November 29 to December 07, Prince Moulay Rachid wrote that, in accordance with the guidelines laid down by King Mohammed VI, when the event was created, “the Festival’s drive to promote and support young cinematic talent has not wavered over the years, and has led, through various development and training initiatives, to the birth of the Atlas Workshops.”

This program, launched in 2018 by the Festival Foundation to support emerging young Moroccan, Arab, and African filmmakers, has matured into a true incubator of regional talent, he pointed out, adding that it has supported hundreds of works in progress and fostered the emergence of a new generation of filmmakers, including the young Moroccan director Asmae El Moudir, who, for the first time in the history of the Kingdom and the Festival, won L’Étoile d’Or in Marrakech. “Her film, The Mother of All Lies, received support from the Atlas Workshops platform, where it also garnered two awards,” the Prince said.

Prince Moulay Rachid stated further that this experience, which is sure to be a source of inspiration for future generations of enthusiastic filmmakers, “is the logical continuation of the film industry’s expansion in Morocco, where last year the number of films produced rose to thirty-four.”

“As part of this ongoing imperative to strengthen the Moroccan film ecosystem, this year has seen the development of the Atlas Workshops program with the launch of the Atlas Station, an initiative tailored to the needs of young national professionals and that will support them in developing their skills, with a view to exposing them to the international industry,” he added.

Prince Moulay Rachid stated that film critics and the media “are also at the heart of the Festival’s development strategy, as their input is essential to the life of any film,” and that “to keep pace with the evolution of the film industry, advanced training sessions have been scheduled for these professionals.”

He also noted that the artistic program of this 21st edition of the Festival is enhanced by three significant tributes: to Naïma Elmcherqui, the Grande Dame of Moroccan cinema, who has sadly passed away; to two-time Academy Award-winner US actor and director Sean Penn; and to Canadian acclaimed filmmaker David Cronenberg

The jury, which has the weighty task of determining the most promising talents, is presided over by Luca Guadagnino, the Italian director of great talent and sublime aesthetic vision, not forgetting the Conversations, which will aim to bring festival-goers even closer to the experiences of great film professionals, such as the great directors Tim Burton and Alfonso Cuarón.

“The Marrakech International Film Festival is delighted to welcome you, and looks forward to making this moment of culture and international camaraderie a place of emotion and sharing, one that sends a message of dialogue and peace to the world,” Prince Moulay Rachid concluded.