The 21st edition of the Marrakech International Film Festival opened Friday in spectacular fashion, blending global cinematic artistry with heartfelt tributes to Moroccan culture.
Held at Marrakech’s Palais des Congrès, the ceremony celebrated the unifying power of film, introducing an illustrious jury and honoring internationally acclaimed creators.
Renowned Italian filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, returning for the second year in a row, this time as Jury President, charmed the audience with a heartfelt speech reflecting his deep connection to Morocco.
Born to an Algerian mother who was raised in Casablanca, the Call Me by Your Name director expressed his love for Morocco, noting that “the first time I came to Marrakech over 20 years ago, I felt an indescribable magic. This city and cinema have been inseparably linked for me ever since,” and concluding his remarks with a heartfelt proclamation of “Long live Morocco, long live Marrakech, long live cinema!”
Guadagnino leads a diverse jury including Indian director Zoya Akhtar, American actor Patricia Arquette, and Moroccan star Nadia Kounda. Together, they will select the winner of the prestigious Étoile d’Or award from 14 feature films competing in the official selection.
The evening also marked the introduction of the festival’s Conversations series participants, featuring some of the biggest names in global cinema.
Guests such as Tim Burton, David Cronenberg, and Monica Bellucci are set to lead conversations and masterclasses, offering Moroccan cinephiles a rare opportunity to engage with icons of the silver screen.
Cinema legend Tim Burton shared with Hespress English his excitement at experiencing the festival as a guest, basking in the “artistic, beautiful, and mysterious nature” of Marrakech.
“I don’t have a film here, so I just come as a guest. I don’t even know what I’m going to see,” the Beetlejuice director said, adding that “it’s nice to just be open and not have any expectations, and let things wash over you and experience it without any preconception.”
Moroccan and international icons graced the festival’s red carpet, including producer Redone, who is participating for the first time with a feature film, The Hero, directed by Omar Lotfi.
“It’s a privilege to have your first film in a festival like this,” the producer told Hespress English, taking a moment to express his gratitude for the movie’s director and the “legendary” cast.
“They did an amazing job, you can feel it was made from the bottom of their hearts, it wasn’t just a job, it was a like a love and you can see that,” the producer concluded.
The 21st edition of the festival will also hold ceremonies honoring late Moroccan actor Naima Lamcharki, alongside international cinema titans David Cronenberg and Sean Penn.
This year’s edition celebrates cinema’s diversity, showcasing debut and second films from emerging international and Moroccan directors, continuing to serve as a bridge between Morocco and the global film industry.
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