The sixth edition saw a celebration of Italian cinema—coincidentally, in the same year the festival won the Roberto Rossellini Prize, which is given each year by the Maiori Film Festival to significant events dedicated to cinema in the Mediterranean basin in recognition of their contribution to cultural and artistic exchange.

The tribute to the cinema of Italy was anchored by screenings of around fifty films. A truly magnificent delegation of Italian cinema professionals, directors, producers, and actors made the journey to Marrakech and participated in this display of esteem.

Further tributes highlighted the work of the great Moroccan actor Mohamed Majd (who passed away in January 2012), American actor Susan Sarandon, and Egyptian director Tawfiq Salah. The feature film jury was presided over by Polish director, screenwriter, and producer Roman Polanski, and had among its other juror’s Egyptian director and screenwriter Yousry Nasrallah.