Tuba Büyüküstün, Rachid El Ouali Headline MARRAKECHsFF National, international jury

Their participation comes as part of the festival’s sixth edition, taking place in the red city from September 25-30.

Casablanca – Marrakech Short Film Festival (MARRAKECHsFF) has revealed the jury members for its sixth edition, with Tuba Büyüküstün and Rachid El Ouali presiding over the international and national juries, respectively.

Their participation comes as part of the festival’s sixth edition, taking place in Marrakech from September 25-30.

Büyüküstün will lead an all-female international jury alongside film programmer Alice Kharoubi and Lebanese film director and screenwriter Daniela Stephan.

Tuba Büyüküstün: A familiar face to Arab audiences

The presence of Büyüküstün is especially meaningful. She holds a special place among audiences across the Arab world, where her Turkish productions have gained a loyal following over the years.

She became especially recognizable to many viewers through her role as Lamiss in the Turkish series “Ihlamurlar Altında,” known to Arab audiences as “Sanawat Al Daya3.” The role helped establish her as one of the most familiar Turkish stars in the region.

Beyond acting, Büyüküstün’s creative journey also extends into visual art. She also serves as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, adding another dimension to her public and artistic work.

Now, she is bringing that experience to the Red City, taking on a new role that places her on the other side of the screen as a jury president.

Rachid El Ouali: A defining name in Moroccan cinema

On the national level, Moroccan actor and director Rachid El Ouali will serve as jury president, alongside Moroccan actors Hicham Ibrahimi and Jalila Talemsi.

With a career spanning acting and directing, El Ouali has appeared in works including the popular series “Al Madi La Yamout.” He has also directed several projects, including “Noah Can’t Swim.”

For an artistic legacy of this scale, it comes as no surprise that El Ouali will preside over the national jury, bringing decades of experience across acting and directing to a festival that brings together filmmakers and talent from around the world.

Competition, masterclasses, and everything in between

The competitions are only one part of the festival. The jury will also take part in masterclasses, discussions, roundtables, and other encounters, creating space for exchanges with industry professionals, young cinema enthusiasts, and the public.

This year’s MARRAKECHsFF edition will bring together filmmakers and cinema professionals from Morocco and around the world, adding another chapter to Marrakech’s growing presence on the international short-film scene.