Marrakech Festival 2025: An Exceptional Global Selection
The 22nd Marrakech International Film Festival, scheduled to take place from November 28 to December 6, will celebrate the richness and diversity of world cinema. This edition features an official selection of 82 films from 31 countries, affirming the festival’s position as one of the most prestigious cinematic events in the MENA region.
The programming is structured around several main sections: Official Competition, Gala Screenings, Horizons, 11th Continent, Panorama of Moroccan Cinema, Young Audience & Family Screenings, and special screenings organized as part of tributes. Eight films will be presented as world or international premieres, while nine works come from the Atlas Workshops, the festival’s support program. Additionally, fourteen films will represent their countries in the Oscars race.
An Official Competition Dedicated to New Talent
The Official Competition shines a spotlight on emerging filmmakers through 14 debut and sophomore feature films vying for the Golden Star, awarded this year by a jury led by director Bong Joon-ho. This selection reveals bold emerging cinema, marked by strong political sensitivity, intimate narratives, and innovative storytelling approaches.
Among the standout works, “Behind the Palm Trees” by Meryem Benm’Barek, presented as a world premiere, explores class relations inherited from the colonial past through a psychological thriller. The Australian film First Light by James J. Robinson interrogates faith and morality in a visually powerful narrative.
Several filmmakers also revisit pivotal political moments in their countries, such as “Before the Bright Day”, “My Father’s Shadow”, and “Laundry”, addressing periods marked by war, instability, or apartheid.
Other works highlight portraits of resilient women, notably “Heaven Promised”, “Broken Voices”, and “Aisha Can’t Fly Away”. Two significant documentaries, “Memory” and “My Father and Qaddafi”, explore historical memory through an intimate perspective.
Gala Screenings: The Most Anticipated Films of the Year
The nine Gala Screenings will present prestigious international productions. The opening will feature “Dead Man’s Wire” by Gus Van Sant. Maryam Touzani will leave a significant mark with “Rue Málaga”.
The tributes will showcase highly anticipated projects, including the reimagined version of Frankenstein by Guillermo del Toro and “Private Life”, presented by Jodie Foster. Two major world premieres will celebrate Arab cinema: “El Sett”, a biopic dedicated to Oum Kalthoum, and “Sophia”, a Tunisian thriller by Dhafer L’Abidine.
The gala evening dedicated to “Hamnet” by Chloé Zhao promises to be a highlight, while the closing film will be “Palestine 36” by Annemarie Jacir.
Horizons: A Panorama of Contemporary Cinema
The Horizons section, featuring 19 films, offers a current panorama of global cinema, gathering works from renowned directors such as Park Chan-wook, Claire Denis, and Jim Jarmusch, along with promising new talents.
Arab cinema plays a significant role here, with films that have garnered attention at major international festivals, including “What Remains of Us”, “The President’s Cake”, and “Once Upon a Time in Gaza”.
Two major documentaries complement this programming: “Orwell: 2+2=5” and “Fatna, A Woman Named Rachid”.
11th Continent: A Laboratory of Global Cinema
The 11th Continent section features innovative fictions and documentaries by international authors such as Lucrecia Martel and Hlynur Pálmason. It also showcases works by bold young filmmakers and presents restored versions of three Arab classics, including Mirage by Ahmed Bouanani.
Moroccan Cinema at the Heart of this Edition
The Panorama of Moroccan Cinema will feature seven works, including “Five Perspectives” by Karim Debbagh and “Luggage Carrier” by Abdelkarim El-Fassi. In total, 15 Moroccan films will be screened in various sections of the festival, confirming the vitality and diversity of national creation.
A Programming Dedicated to Young Audiences
The Young Audience & Family section will offer 13 screenings tailored for children and teenagers aged 4 to 18, encouraging the introduction to cinema and the discovery of new artistic forms.
Homages: Four Distinguished Personalities Honored
Iconic films featuring Jodie Foster, Guillermo del Toro, Raouya, and Hussein Fahmi will be screened in several emblematic venues in Marrakech, enriching the programming with a cultural heritage aspect.
