23rd Marrakech International Film Festival to Showcase 76 Films From 39 Countries

The city of Marrakech is preparing to host the 23rd edition of the Marrakech International Film Festival from November 20 to 28, with organizers unveiling a curated lineup of 76 films representing 39 countries. Spotlighted at the center of the event is the Official Competition, which brings together 14 debut and second feature films vying for the prestigious Étoile d’Or under a jury chaired by Academy Award-winning French actress Marion Cotillard.

Arab and Moroccan cinema maintain a strong presence in this year’s selection, highlighted by the Moroccan feature “Les Baisers” (Kisses) by director Yassine Marco Marco starring Mohamed Zouaoui, Sonia Okacha, and Mourad Hamimou, the Egyptian title “À l’ombre du Caire” (In the Shadow of Cairo) by brothers Rani and Salem Masalha starring Hassan Malek, Tara Emad, Kamel El Basha, and Hamza El Aily, as well as the Syrian film “Chronique du siège” (Chronicle of the Siege) by Abdullah Al-Khatib starring Nadeem Rimawi, Saja Kilani, Ahmed Qantar, and Samer Bisharat. Setting the tone for the week, the festival will open with the American comedy “The Debut,” written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg and featuring an ensemble cast including Julianne Moore, Paul Giamatti, Halle Bailey, and Bernadette Peters.

Beyond the main competition, the program spans several distinct sections, including “Panorama of Moroccan Cinema,” which showcases six feature films and documentaries highlighting local talent, alongside “Special Screenings” offering seven titles as well as retrospective tributes. On the industry front, the festival will run the ninth edition of the Atlas Workshops, its flagship platform for creative incubation that this year hosts 30 projects and films from 14 countries across Development, Post-production, and Atlas Perspectives tracks. Since its founding in 2001, the festival has established itself as a premier global hub connecting film icons with diverse audiences, a mission further strengthened by the 2018 launch of the Atlas Workshops to empower emerging Arab and Moroccan filmmakers alongside international industry leaders.