Fez — The 22nd Marrakech International Film Festival opened yesterday with glamour, full houses, and a slate that blends global prestige with new voices.
The red carpet rolled out for an opening night that matched the festival’s growing stature on the world circuit.
Academy Award winner Bong Joon Ho serves as jury president.
A jury bridging generations
The main competition jury brings together artists whose work spans genres and geographies. Joining Bong Joon Ho are actors Anya Taylor-Joy and Jenna Ortega. Filmmakers Julia Ducournau, Celine Song, Karim Aïnouz, and Hakim Belabbes are also on the panel, alongside actor-director Payman Maadi. The group is tasked with selecting the Étoile d’Or (Golden Star) from a lineup of first and second features.
Inside the Palais des Congrès, the festival’s opening ceremony spotlighted the jury’s cross-generational perspective.
The mix promises spirited deliberations over a selection that moves between intimate storytelling and formally daring cinema. Opening weekend screenings drew strong attendance, underscoring the appetite for international and regional titles on Moroccan screens.
Premieres and tributes anchor the program
Moroccan director Meryem Benm’Barek returns with the world premiere of “Derrière les palmiers “(“Behind the Palm Trees”). The film explores class dynamics and lingering colonial legacies through the lens of a psychological thriller. It is one of the most closely watched titles in competition.
International discoveries round out the slate. James J. Robinson’s “First Light” appears as a key premiere. “So do Before the Bright Day” by Shih-Han Tsao and “My Father’s Shadow” by Akinola Davies Jr., broadening the festival’s geographic reach and stylistic range.
Together the titles reflect Marrakech’s dual mission to platform fresh talent and to present resonant stories from around the globe.
The festival also dedicates major tributes to four artists whose careers have shaped film cultures in Morocco and abroad.
Honorees include Guillermo del Toro, Jodie Foster, Egyptian star Hussein Fahmi, and Moroccan screen icon Raouya. Retrospectives and onstage conversations accompany the ceremonies, offering audiences a chance to revisit milestone works and hear first-hand creative insights.
Beyond premieres and homages, the program continues to emphasize public access and craft exchange. Conversations, masterclasses, and industry meetings connect visiting filmmakers with local professionals and audiences.
The result is a festival atmosphere that is both celebratory and substantive. It positions Marrakech as a bridge between North Africa, the Middle East, and the wider film world.
As screenings unfold through the week, the competition field will sharpen. The jury’s decision on the Étoile d’Or will cap a program designed to discover new voices while honoring established masters.
With a packed schedule and strong early turnout, the 22nd Marrakech International Film Festival is set for a standout edition.
