MARRAKECH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
From its inception September 2001 The Marrakech International Film Festival has been able to bring together the most renowned names of world film, and has established Morocco as an ideal location for international productions as well as it is ensuring that the Festival helps to boost the vitality of the film industry in Morocco and the growth of its talents,” stressed HRH Prince Moulay Rachid who is the president of the Festival Foundation.
In a post on the official website of the Festival in celebration of the 21st year-long edition, which will run through November 29 until December 7 His Royal Highness stated in line of the principles laid out by the King of His Majesty Mohammed VI, may God be with Him during the time the festival was established, “the Festival’s drive to promote and support young cinematic talent has not wavered over the years, and has led, through various development and training initiatives, to the birth of the Atlas Workshops.”
The initiative, which was established in the year 2018 by Festival Foundation to help support the next generation of younger Moroccan, Arab, and African filmmakers, has grown into an effective incubator of regional talent the HRH Prince Moulay Rachid said, noting that the program has helped support many works in process and helped to create the next generation of filmmakers. This includes young Moroccan filmmaker Asmae El Moudir who is the first in the time of our nation and also the Festival has won the Etoile d’Or in Marrakech. “Her film, The Mother of All Lies, received support from the Atlas Workshops platform, where it also garnered two awards,” His Royal Highness stated.
HRH Prince Molay Rachid stated that the event, which will surely be an inspiration to the next generation of filmmakers who are enthusiastic, “is the logical continuation of the film industry’s expansion in Morocco, where last year the number of films produced rose to thirty-four.”
“As part of this ongoing imperative to strengthen the Moroccan film ecosystem, this year has seen the development of the Atlas Workshops program with the launch of the Atlas Station, an initiative tailored to the needs of young national professionals and that will support them in developing their skills, with a view to exposing them to the international industry,” His Royal Highness said.
Prince Moulay Rachid. HRH Prince Moulay Rachid has stated that film critics as well as the media “are also at the heart of the Festival’s development strategy, as their input is essential to the life of any film,” adding that “to keep pace with the evolution of the film industry, advanced training sessions have been scheduled for these professionals.”
His Royal Highness has also mentioned that the programme of the 21st Festival is highlighted by three major memorials: to Naima Elmcherqui who was the great dame of Moroccan cinema who tragically passed away and to the two-time Academy Award winning US actors and directors Sean Penn; and to Canadian well-known filmmaker David Cronenberg, adding that the jury has the arduous task of selecting which talents are most promising,
The festival is helmed the festival by Luca Guadagnino, the Italian director with a great skill with a breathtaking aesthetics Not to mention the Conversations that aim to get festival attendees closer to the experience of legendary filmmakers, like legendary filmmakers Tim Burton and Alfonso Cuaron.
“The Marrakech International Film Festival is delighted to welcome you, and looks forward to making this moment of culture and international camaraderie a place of emotion and sharing, one that sends a message of dialogue and peace to the world,” HRH Prince Moulay Rachid said.