In its greatly anticipated return after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Marrakech International Film Festival came back with a bang, successfully reuniting with its cinema-loving public in an event featuring ninety-one Q&A sessions and introductions, as well as the further development of the festival’s screening programme for young audiences. The selection of films was very well received by the public, festival guests, and the media, all of whom were thrilled by the breadth of the programme.

The Étoile d’Or was awarded to the Iranian feature A Tale of Shemroon by Emad Aleebrahim Dehkordi, a film that had received little previous exposure. This celebration reinforced the festival’s position as a showcase for the talents of world cinema.

The festival lived up to its reputation of celebrated, high-profile guests, particularly with its prestigious jury, chaired by Italian director Paolo Sorrentino, as well as the guests of the “In Conversation With” programme, who attracted the interest of festival-goers and journalists alike. Tributes were paid to four very different film personalities, including Moroccan director and producer Farida Benlyazid, US director James Gray, Bollywood superstar Ranveer Singh, and Academy Award-winning Scottish actor and producer Tilda Swinton, and gave rise to wonderful ceremonies.

The fifth edition of the Atlas Workshops, which marked its return to an in-person format confirmed its reputation as not-to-be-missed event for industry professionals. Moroccan filmmakers enjoyed a special place at this year’s event, thanks to the notable presence of national cinema in the festival programme and their increased involvement in the Atlas Workshops.