Marrakech Festival 2025: An Exceptional Global Selection
22nd Edition of the Marrakech International Film Festival: A Celebration of Global Cinema
The 22nd edition of the Marrakech International Film Festival, scheduled from November 28 to December 6, will highlight the richness and diversity of world cinema. This edition features an official selection of 82 films from 31 countries, reaffirming the festival’s status as one of the most prestigious cinematic events in the MENA region.
The programming is organized into several major sections: Official Competition, Gala Screenings, Horizons, 11th Continent, Panorama of Moroccan Cinema, Youth & Family Screenings, along with special presentations as part of various tributes. Eight films will have their 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 showcases emerging filmmakers through 14 feature debuts and second films competing for the Golden Star, awarded this year by a jury chaired by director Bong Joon-ho. This selection reveals bold and innovative emerging cinema, characterized by a strong political sensitivity, intimate narratives, and innovative storytelling approaches.
Among the highlighted works, “Behind the Palm Trees” by Meryem Benm’Barek, which will have its world premiere, explores class relations inherited from a colonial past through a psychological thriller. The Australian film First Light by James J. Robinson questions faith and morality within a visually powerful narrative.
Several filmmakers also revisit pivotal political moments from their countries, such as “Before the Bright Day”, “My Father’s Shadow”, and “Laundry”, addressing periods marked by war, instability, or apartheid.
Other works focus on portraits of resilient women, including “Promised Heaven”, “Broken Voices”, and “Aisha Can’t Fly Away”. Two significant documentaries, “Memory” and “My Father and Qaddafi”, explore historical memory from an intimate perspective.
Gala Screenings: The Most Anticipated Films of the Year
The nine Gala Screenings will feature prestigious international productions. The opening night will present “Dead Man’s Wire” by Gus Van Sant. Maryam Touzani will make a notable appearance with “Rue Málaga”.
The tributes will showcase highly anticipated projects, including Guillermo del Toro’s reimagined version of Frankenstein and “Vie Privée” presented by Jodie Foster. Two major world premieres will honor 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 festival will close with “Palestine 36” by Annemarie Jacir.
Horizons: A Panorama of Contemporary Cinema
The Horizons section, featuring 19 films, offers a current panorama of world cinema, uniting works from renowned directors such as Park Chan-wook, Claire Denis, and Jim Jarmusch, alongside promising new talents.
Arab cinema holds an important place here, with films recognized at major international festivals, including “What Remains of Us”, “The President’s Cake”, and “Once Upon a Time in Gaza”.
Two major documentaries round out this programming: “Orwell: 2+2=5” and “Fatna, a Woman Named Rachid”.
11th Continent: A Laboratory of Global Cinema
The 11th Continent section presents innovative fictions and documentaries by international authors such as Lucrecia Martel and Hlynur Pálmason. It also features works by bold young filmmakers and showcases restored versions of three classic Arab films, including Mirage by Ahmed Bouanani.
Moroccan Cinema at the Heart of This Edition
The Panorama of Moroccan Cinema will feature seven works, including “Cinq Regards” by Karim Debbagh and “Porte Bagage” by Abdelkarim El-Fassi. In total, 15 Moroccan films will be screened across various sections of the festival, affirming the vitality and diversity of national creation.
A Program Dedicated to Young Audiences
The Youth & Family section will offer 13 screenings suitable for children and teenagers aged 4 to 18, encouraging the introduction to cinema and the discovery of new artistic forms.
Tributes: Honoring Four Distinguished Personalities
Iconic films by Jodie Foster, Guillermo del Toro, Raouya, and Hussein Fahmi will be screened at several iconic venues in Marrakech, enriching the programming with a valuable heritage component.
