Launched by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the inaugural Marrakech International Film Festival opened on the intended date of 28 September, despite the heavy aftermath of the shocking terror attacks in New York City earlier that month.

British actor Charlotte Rampling was President of the first jury, whose members included Moroccan director Farida Benlyazid.

In its first official ceremony, the festival paid tribute to the works of two great names in cinema: French director Claude Lelouch and international cinema icon Omar Sharif.

The Etoile d’Or Grand Prix was awarded to God Willing on Sunday by Yamina Benguigui (Algeria/France). The Jury Prize went to The Unsaid by Tom McLoughlin (USA), while the prize for Best Actor went to Jacques Dutronc in C’est la vie by Jean-Pierre Ameris (France).

Alongside the film screenings, the festival organised a series of cultural roundtables, which have since become firmly rooted among the offerings of the event.