Since its Inception, Marrakech International Film Festival Established Itself as Place for Dialogue & Discovery – HRH Prince Moulay Rachid
Rabat - Since its inception, the Marrakech International Film Festival has established itself as a place for dialogue and discovery, a space where cultures intersect and talent emerges, said His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid, President of the Festival's Foundation.
In a message posted on the Festival’s official website on the occasion of its 22nd edition, held from November 28 to December 6, HRH Prince Moulay Rachid underlined that “in just over two decades, [the Festival] has placed Morocco on the map of major international film events, while paying particular attention to the new voices from its home region and the diversity of perspectives that shape contemporary cinema.”
This mission, His Royal Highness insisted, is now being reinforced with the launch of the Atlas Programs, which brings together the Atlas Workshops, Atlas Station, Atlas Distribution, and Atlas Press under a united banner, affirming the Foundation’s commitment to supporting new generations of filmmakers, from writing through distribution, and including criticism and production.
In this regard, HRH Prince Moulay Rachid wrote that Atlas Workshops in particular have developed into a privileged space for training, mentorship, and discovery, adding that every year, the program welcomes new directors, producers, film students, and emerging critics from Morocco, the Arab world, and the African continent.
“Through intensive sessions, meetings with renowned professionals, and concrete opportunities for development, the workshops offer these filmmakers the tools, networks, and confidence they need to make their voices heard,” he continued.
This 2025 edition also marks the creation of the Atlas Distribution Meetings, a unique event that will gather 60 professionals from Africa, the Arab world, and Europe, HRH Prince Moulay Rachid stated, noting that through this initiative, the Festival confirms its role as a structuring platform, promoting the distribution of films and the emergence of new narratives.
“True to its mission of recognizing and celebrating talents of world cinema, this year’s Festival pays tribute to four exceptional figures: Moroccan actor Raouya, whose career illustrates the vitality of our national scene; US actor Jodie Foster, an icon of world cinema; Egyptian actor Hussein Fahmi, a legend of Arab cinema; and Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, a visionary master of contemporary storytelling,” His Royal Highness indicated.
The Jury, chaired by South Korean director Bong Joon Ho, embodies the artistic excellence and cultural diversity for which the Festival is renowned, HRH Prince Moulay Rachid said, adding that “through the eyes of the jurors, newly revealed talents deliver stories that reflect the complexity of our times and the richness of our identities.”
“Finally, the Conversations program remains a special opportunity for sharing and engagement, where public audiences are invited to discover the careers and reflections of major figures in world cinema,” His Royal Highness stated.
Highlighting that “the 22nd edition of the Marrakech International Film Festival unfolds this year in a world in flux, one in which cinema remains, more than ever, an essential reference point: a space for sharing and a universal language capable of bringing people together, enlightening our societies, and broadening our horizons,” HRH Prince Moulay Rachid expressed wishes that this year’s Festival, “relying on the power of cinema and the richness of the exchanges it inspires, contributes to strengthening the ability of peoples to meet, engage in dialogue, and build a more just, united, and enlightened world together.”
Editorial team/le7tv
