Rabat – Prince Moulay Rachid, President of the Marrakech International Film Festival Foundation, accompanied by Princess Lalla Oum Keltoum, chaired on Saturday at Bab Ighli in Marrakech a dinner offered by King Mohammed VI to mark the official opening of the 22nd edition of the festival.
Upon their arrival, the Prince and his wife, Princess Lalla Oum Keltoum, were greeted by local officials and authorities, as well as Deputy Vice President of the Marrakech International Film Festival Foundation Faical Laraichi, among other festival officials.
Prince Moulay Rachid and Princess Lalla Oum Keltoum were also introduced to the jury, which included guest stars. The jury’s president for this year is Bong Joo Ho.
On Saturday, acclaimed American actor and filmmaker Jodie Foster was honored with a special tribute.
The 22nd Marrakech International Film Festival officially opened on Friday at the Palais des Congrès, marking the presence of prominent actors, actresses, and cineastes from Morocco and abroad.
Many actors and actresses shared their excitement for the festival in interviews with Morocco World News (MWN).
Iranian American Payman Maadi, actor and screenwriter, described the festival as a “beautiful event.”
He told Morocco World News (MWN): “First of all, in this beautiful film festival in this magnificent city, and among these members of the jury led by Mr. Bong Joon. I’m very excited to watch all these 13 films, of which we only saw one so far. And I think we will have a very great experience.”
On the sidelines of the ongoing festival, Egyptian superstar Hussein Fahmy told MWN that he has a sentimental connection wth the Marrakech festival.
“I attended the very first edition and many editions after that.. One of my first films, ‘My Blood, My Tears, and My Smile,’ was made in Marrakech. I’m very happy to be here and very honored by this tribute,” he added
The actor also shared his long-standing relationship with Moroccan cinema.
“I have many friends working in Moroccan cinema, and I’ve served as president of several juries at different festivals. I’ve watched a lot of Moroccan films and maintain strong ties with Moroccan cinema,” he added.
Ali Hajji, General Coordinator of the festival and member of the Selection Committee, also expressed satisfaction with this year’s program, saying it is truly “exceptional.”
“It includes 80 films from 31 countries” across multiple sections: the official competition, Horizon, gala screenings, the 11th Continent, the Moroccan cinema panorama, and the Young Audiences and Families section.
“We’ve worked for many, many months on this programming, and we invite the public to participate in large numbers.”
He recalled tributes for cinema legends, including Jodie Foster, who he described as “an American cinema icon for many years.”
Hajji also celebrated Guillermo del Toro, Raouya, and Hossein Fahmy as “figures who have left their mark on world, Arab, and Moroccan cinema.”