Marrakech is preparing for another major moment in international cinema, with the Marrakech International Film Festival officially unveiling the programme for its 23rd edition.
Running from November 20 to 28, the festival will screen 76 films from 39 countries, bringing together established filmmakers, emerging directors and productions receiving their first international exposure.
Among the selected titles are 10 world premieres, while 14 first and second feature films will compete for the festival’s highest award, the Étoile d’Or.
This year’s competition jury will be chaired by French actress Marion Cotillard.
Moroccan cinema also occupies an important place in the programme, with 11 Moroccan films scheduled across the festival’s different sections.
One of the most notable selections is Alkebulan, directed by Moroccan filmmaker Yassine Marco Marroccu. The film is among the titles competing for the Étoile d’Or and will receive its world premiere at the festival.
Another Moroccan production, Strawberries by Laïla Marrakchi, is also featured in the programme. The film is Morocco’s submission for consideration at the Academy Awards.
The festival will open with Jesse Eisenberg’s comedy The Debut, featuring Julianne Moore, while other screenings will explore stories from across Africa, the Arab world, Europe and Asia.
Beyond its red carpets and international guests, the Marrakech Film Festival plays an important role in supporting new filmmakers.
Through initiatives such as the Atlas Workshops, the event helps emerging directors develop projects and connect with professionals from the international film industry.
This year, 12 films in the selection have benefited from the workshops.
For Morocco’s cinema industry, the festival is more than an annual gathering of famous actors and directors. It provides a platform for local stories to reach audiences, distributors and critics beyond the country’s borders.
And with 11 Moroccan films on the programme, this edition gives local talent a substantial presence in the international spotlight.
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