The Marrakech International Film Festival continues to affirm its status as one of the most significant cinematic events in the Arab world and Africa, featuring a rich program that combines prestigious tributes and exceptional screenings honoring the pioneers of cinema from around the globe.
As the date for its 22nd edition approaches, the red city is preparing to welcome an array of stars and creators who will gather to celebrate cinema in its highest forms.
According to a statement from the festival’s administration, this year’s edition will honor four prominent figures who have left their mark on the history of global and Arab cinema. These honorees include American star Jodie Foster, Mexican director Guillermo del Toro, Moroccan artist Rawia, and Egyptian actor Hussein Fahmy.
The statement emphasized that these selections reflect the diversity and richness that characterize the seventh art, translating the festival’s philosophy of cultural openness and celebration of the talents that have shaped cinema across different continents.
Academy Award-winning star Jodie Foster, who will be honored in Marrakech for her illustrious career marked by artistic intelligence and freedom in performance and choices, expressed in a statement included in the announcement her immense honor in discovering Marrakech as it celebrates the magic of cinema. She added that she feels a great sense of pride for this recognition and eagerly anticipates presenting her new French film “The Private Life,” directed by Rebecca Zlotowski, to the audience.
On the other hand, Mexican director Guillermo del Toro, who has won three Academy Awards for films such as “The Shape of Water” and “Pinocchio,” embodies through his unique vision the ability of cinema to bridge fantasy, reality, and humanity.
In his statement, he noted his honor in returning to Marrakech, a city that welcomed him warmly since his first visit, adding that it is a great honor to be celebrated here and to present the audience with his film “Frankenstein,” which he regards as one of his most personal works.
For her part, Moroccan artist Rawia (Fatima Hrenndi) will receive a special tribute from the festival in recognition of her rich artistic journey spanning decades, during which she has embodied characters that have etched themselves into the memory of Moroccan cinema with their authenticity and powerful performances. Rawia expressed her indescribable joy to be honored in her home country and in the red city, emphasizing that every encounter with the Marrakech audience is a cherished moment and thanking the organizers for this recognition, which means a lot to her.
Similarly, the festival will honor Egyptian star Hussein Fahmy, a distinguished figure in Arab cinema with over five decades of experience in acting, directing, and producing.
Fahmy stated in his comment that he is delighted to be honored in Marrakech after participating in the festival’s inaugural edition, noting that this city holds a special place in his heart, having filmed one of his earliest movies “My Blood, My Tears, and My Smile” there; hence, his return for this tribute represents a precious moment in his artistic journey.
This honor, according to the same statement, reaffirms the festival’s human and artistic vision, which has positioned Marrakech as a global platform for cultural exchange and an open space for cinematic dialogue between creators from different countries.
With each new edition, the Marrakech International Film Festival solidifies its presence as one of the finest artistic venues that restore to cinema its universal dimension, as a common language capable of uniting peoples and building bridges between worlds.
