The 22nd Marrakech International Film Festival began with acclaimed filmmaker Bong Joon Ho, known for his Oscar-winning film Parasite, chairing the competition jury amid excitement for a fresh, diverse lineup that resonates with new generations. This year’s festival, celebrated as a vital moment for both established auteurs and bold newcomers, runs in Morocco’s bustling cultural center through December 6, making the Bong Joon Ho Marrakech Film Festival a key event for global cinema.
Bong Joon Ho and a Vibrant Jury Kick Off the Festival
As the festival inaugurated its 22nd edition in Marrakech, Bong Joon Ho was joined by an eclectic jury featuring Jenna Ortega—whose profile has soared recently with the Netflix sensation Wednesday—as well as Anya Taylor-Joy, Celine Song, Julia Ducournau, Karim Aïnouz, Payman Maadi, and Hakim Belabbes. Across eleven days, the festival welcomes eighty-one films representing 31 countries, underscoring Marrakech’s significance as a crossroads of international creativity and cinematic celebration. The Official Competition, presided over by Bong and his jury, will decide the winner of the prestigious Étoile d’Or among thirteen debut or sophomore features. Nine of these entries are world or international premieres, while fourteen have been selected to represent their home nations at the Academy Awards.
Bong Joon Ho’s presence inspired a standing ovation on opening night, where he reflected on his own formative years:
“I was greedily devouring movies as a student of cinema,”
Bong remarked.
“Looking back, my 22-year-old self was brimming with energy and passion for cinema. I feel that Marrakech is also buzzing with a special energy as it enters its 22nd year.”
— Bong Joon Ho, Jury President.
Jury Members Explore AI, Artistry, and the Power of Cinema
The jury’s first press conference the following morning revealed a confluence of generational voices and artistic vision, from Ortega’s Gen Z appeal to Julia Ducournau’s reputation in transgressive French cinema—celebrated for her Palme d’Or win with Titane. Anya Taylor-Joy, having evolved from indie breakouts like The Witch to Hollywood blockbusters such as Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, stood as a testament to rising global talent. Celine Song, honored for her deeply personal debut Past Lives, was also among the jury.
Conversation quickly turned toward artificial intelligence’s role in the arts, with Ortega observing,
“In these difficult and confusing times, oftentimes it pushes the artist to speak out more, to do more, for there to be this new awakening and passion and protection, and I want to assume and hope that that’s the case. However, there are certain things that AI is simply unable to replicate. There’s beauty in difficulty, and there’s beauty in mistakes, and a computer can’t do that. A computer has no soul.”
— Jenna Ortega, Actor. Her statement was met with recognition from the international press and peers alike, emphasizing the irreplaceable human essence in creative expression.
Spotlight on Emerging Directors and Diverse Narratives
Festival president Mélita Toscan du Plantier highlighted the energy surrounding emerging filmmakers, noting her commitment to nurturing talent.
“It’s incredible for these directors to know that their first films are going to be watched by Bong Joon-ho, by all of these actors and directors,”
she said — Mélita Toscan du Plantier, Festival President. This sentiment reinforced Marrakech’s reputation for championing fresh voices and launching new careers, as first and second features form the backbone of the competition.
Films in contention explore themes of teenage friendship under pressure, women redefining their destinies, and families wrestling with political change. Meryem Benm’Barek’s Behind the Palm Trees, a world premiere, examines class and colonial legacies, while Australian photographer James J. Robinson’s First Light tells the story of a Filipino nun’s spiritual struggle. Nigeran director Akinola Davies Jr. presents My Father’s Shadow, a family drama set during Nigeria’s pivotal 1993 elections.
French-Lebanese Artistic Director Rémi Bonhomme described this year’s selection as notably engaged and aware:
“This year’s selection reflects a trend I’ve seen a lot over the past two, three years in that young filmmakers for their first films are developing work that is very politically aware,”
Bonhomme explained.
“They explore injustice and the histories of their countries. They don’t confront these questions directly, but rather in a very subtle way, with stories that are at the intersection of personal memories and collective history.”
— Rémi Bonhomme, Artistic Director. These emerging auteurs bring forth deeply personal stories that also resonate on larger social and historical levels.
Gala Screenings, World Premieres, and International Honors
The Gala Screenings amplify the festival’s profile, offering a showcase for cinematic heavyweights and new discoveries alike. Gus Van Sant opened proceedings with Dead Man’s Wire, a dark satire addressing media and capitalism. Acclaimed filmmaker Guillermo del Toro presented his gothic reimagining of Frankenstein, starring Jacob Elordi and Christoph Waltz, both of whom are notable figures in contemporary cinema.
Jodie Foster, honored at a special tribute, received her award from Bong Joon Ho following a montage of her iconic performances. Reflecting on her legacy, Foster stated,
“Watching all these clips, I thought to myself: I’ve been doing this job for quite a while now. I started in the 1960s, and then I was lucky enough to experience the golden age of cinema in the 1970s. Then came the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, and now we’re back in the 1970s again. It’s been a very long time indeed. And yet, it’s gone by in the blink of an eye.”
— Jodie Foster, Actor. In a touching moment, she was surprised with a video message from Martin Scorsese, who said,
“You’re such an important part of my work and my career. There’s a joy in your work that you’ve created since before you could walk, actually. I’ll never forget the memory of you walking into my office at 8 or 9 years old and having more pull than anyone else in the studio at the time.”
— Martin Scorsese, Director.
Other world premieres included Marwan Hamed’s El Sett, starring Mona Zaki and chronicling the story of Oum Kalthoum, and Dhafer L’Abidine’s Sophia, which explores darker territory. This year’s program also features Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet, which examines grief and inspiration, and Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound, starring rising names in Bollywood cinema.
An Expansive Program Celebrating Global and Regional Cinema
The festival’s Horizons section brings together nineteen films from acclaimed talents. Claire Denis returns with The Fence, while Richard Linklater offers Nouvelle Vague; Jafar Panahi’s It Was Just an Accident and Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice also feature, along with Kelly Reichardt’s The Mastermind. Notably, Arab cinema’s vibrancy is represented, with Cherien Dabis earning acclaim at Sundance for All That Is Left Of You, and Hasan Hadi’s The President’s Cake alongside the Nasser brothers’ Once Upon a Time in Gaza picking up awards at Cannes.
The 11th Continent program pushes boundaries with works by Massoud Bakhshi, Oliver Laxe’s Sirât, Lucrecia Martel’s Landmarks, and Hlynur Pálmason’s The Love That Remains. Restored classics, such as Ahmed Bouanani’s The Mirage, celebrate the enduring legacy of Arab filmmakers. The Moroccan Panorama screens seven features from national talent, including Karim Debbagh’s Five Eyes and Abdelkarim El-Fassi’s Porte Bagage, ensuring strong local representation across fifteen films throughout the festival.
Conversations, Masterclasses, and Industry Initiatives
Marrakech’s Conversations program attracts top-tier guests from every facet of the film world. Andrew Dominik, veteran actor Laurence Fishburne, Bill Kramer—CEO of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences—mix with creators such as Lebanese director Nadine Labaki, Cannes Best Director winner Kleber Mendonça Filho, and Indian filmmaking powerhouse Karan Johar. French actor Tahar Rahim, Egyptian legend Yousra, and Iranian director Jafar Panahi, who recently overcame severe restrictions to win the Palme d’Or, also join the discussions. These events offer both aspiring and established filmmakers a chance to share insights and shape global narrative trends.
Behind festival programming, the Atlas Workshops foster emerging projects from the Arab world, Africa, and Europe. This year, nine films benefit from the initiative and twenty-eight projects are showcased, exploring themes of family, heritage, resilience, and personal identity. Networking events like the Atlas Distribution Meetings connect creators with sixty professionals, amplifying Marrakech’s role as a catalyst for cross-cultural cinematic dialogue and industry development.
Noteworthy Venues, Tributes, and Closing Anticipation
The festival’s events unfold across Marrakech, anchoring its cultural presence in venues like the storied Mamounia hotel. Tributes extend beyond Jodie Foster and Guillermo del Toro, also acknowledging Moroccan actress Raouya and Egyptian star Hussein Fahmi, with the latter receiving a heartfelt ovation to close the opening ceremony. The ensemble of diverse talents and stories highlights the festival’s commitment to honoring both global legends and regional influencers.
As the competition builds towards its finale, the world awaits the announcement of the Étoile d’Or on December 6. The Bong Joon Ho Marrakech Film Festival thus stands out not only for its celebration of cinematic achievement, innovation, and youthful energy but also as a bellwether for trends and dialogues shaping the next era of international storytelling and artistry.
