The Marrakech International Film Festival has revealed its official selection for the 23rd edition, scheduled to take place from November 20 to 28. This year's lineup comprises 76 films from 39 countries, showcasing a diverse range of cinematic works. The festival will feature several sections, including the Official Competition, Gala Screenings, Horizons, the 11th Continent, a Moroccan Panorama, screenings for Young Audiences and Families, and the Tributes section.
The Official Competition will present 14 first and second feature films vying for the Étoile d’Or, with actor Marion Cotillard presiding over the jury. The competition includes films that address pressing concerns, such as Marie-Clémentine Dusabejambo's "Ben’imana," which explores the difficulty of healing after the Tutsi genocide in Rwanda. Other notable entries include Abdallah Al-Khatib's "Chronicles from the Siege" and Auguste Bernard Kouemo Yanghu's "House of the Wind."
The festival's lineup also features several world premieres, including Yassine Marco Marroccu's "Alkebulan," Farzad Samsami's "Waves of Silence," and Rani and Salem Massalha's "Cairo Shadows." The Gala Screenings section will showcase highly anticipated films, such as Fellipe Barbosa's "Leila et la nuit" and Omar Hilal's "His Weakest Creatures." Additionally, the section will feature John Turturro in Noah Segan's "The Only Living Pickpocket in New York."
The Horizons section will bring together 21 films, including new works by renowned directors such as Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Cristian Mungiu, and Hirokazu Kore-eda. The section will also feature Arab cinema, with films like Mohammed Hammad's "Safe Exit" and Sara Ishaq's "The Station." African cinema will be represented through films like Alain Gomis's "Dao" and John Trengove's "The Smell of Apples."
The 11th Continent program will offer 13 films that explore freer forms, including fiction and documentaries. The section will feature works by directors like Danielle Arbid and Radu Jude, as well as restored classics like Farouk Beloufa's "Nahla" and Idrissa Ouedraogo's "Tilaï." The Moroccan Panorama will present six fiction and documentary titles, including Tala Hadid's "Bardi" and Mohamed Mouftakir's "Hoods."
The Young Audiences and Families section will round out the lineup with 11 screenings, including Philippe Riche's "Girl in the Clouds" and the world premiere of Mohcine Besri's "All But My Mother." The festival will take place at the Palais des Congrès, the Cinéma Le Colisée, and the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech.
The 23rd Marrakech International Film Festival will also feature a Tributes section, with several filmmakers attending to present their work. The festival's industry and talent development program, the Atlas Workshops, has supported 12 of the selected titles. With its diverse lineup and range of sections, the festival promises to be an exciting event for film enthusiasts.
Key points
- The 23rd Marrakech International Film Festival will feature 76 films from 39 countries, with 10 world premieres and 11 Oscar submissions.
- The festival's Official Competition will present 14 first and second feature films vying for the Étoile d’Or, with Marion Cotillard presiding over the jury.
- The festival will take place from November 20 to 28 at the Palais des Congrès, the Cinéma Le Colisée, and the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech.
