Rabat – After four years since its last edition, “Marrakech du Rire” returns once again to the Red City under a new name and format, taking place at Palais des Festivals et des Congrès from June 4-6.
First founded by Jamel Debbouze in 2011, the francophone humor festival is entering a new chapter with a first edition under the English name “Marrakech Comedy Festival.”
Debbouze will no longer be part of the event in this transition, while actor and humorist Malik Bentalha steps in to lead the festival alongside a new lineup of comedy talents.
Debbouze’s name remains tied to the project, however. Karim Debbouze, Jemal’s brother, will be involved in the festival’s direction, though he will not take on the role of host as his brother once did.
The first edition of the “Marrakech Comedy Festival” will span three days of humor and shared moments, offering both francophone and arabophone audiences a space to connect.
The first day will be entirely in Arabic, where Moroccan comedian Eko will take the lead. And the last two days, to be hosted by Bentalha, will be in French.
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The festival will transcend Moroccan borders through broadcasts on 2M and TV5 Monde, alongside partnerships with Fnac Spectacles.
NRJ France will broadcast from Marrakech through a special show hosted by Camille Combal, while one of the francophone galas is set to be broadcast on Disney+, marking a first for a francophone comedy show.
Announcing the event on his Instagram account, Bentalha shared a message expressing his enthusiasm for the project.
“Very proud to launch the Marrakech Comedy Festival and to present the francophone gala alongside a generation of artists who are as talented as they are diverse,” he said. “A project that is close to my heart, centered on transmission, discovery, encounters, and a sense of camaraderie.”
Bentalha is also preparing another project beyond the festival. According to a recent Instagram announcement, he is “in preparations” to begin filming this summer a six-episode comedy series with Disney+, in which he will play his own role alongside several guest appearances.
