"International Film Festival" in Marrakech kicks off with "Pinocchio"

Filmmakers meet in Morocco again

The opening ceremony of the festival witnessed the honoring of Indian actor Ranveer Singh.

EPA

Filmmakers and fans from around the world returned to meet again in Morocco, the day before yesterday, at the opening of the 19th edition of the International Film Festival in Marrakech, after a two-year hiatus during which the major artistic event was absent due to the Corona virus pandemic.

The opening ceremony was started by Moroccan pianist Marouane Ben Abdallah, with a piece he dedicated to the spirit of Moroccan artists, film and theater, who left the world between 2020 and 2022.

Then the official competition jury rose to the podium, headed by Italian director Paolo Sorrentino, who expressed his happiness to be in Morocco.

The committee includes: Danish director Suzanne Bier, American producer Oscar Isaac, British actress Vanessa Kirby, Australian director Justin Kurzel, Lebanese actress Nadine Labkin, Moroccan director Leila Marrakchi and German actress Diane Kruger.

Over the course of eight days, the festival will screen 76 films from 33 countries from Africa, Europe, Asia and the Americas, as part of its various competitions and programs at the Palais des Congrès, Colisei Cinema, Yves Saint Laurent Museum and Jemaa El Fna Square.

The official competition includes 14 films representing the first or second work of their makers, including the film “The Caftan Blue” by Maryam Touzani, which Morocco has nominated for the Oscar for Best International Film.

At the opening, the festival screened the animated film "Pinocchio" by directors Guillermo del Toro from Mexico, and Mark Gustafson from the United States.

The ceremony also witnessed the honoring of the Indian actor Ranveer Singh, who performed one of his dances on the stage, and expressed his joy and pride in being in Marrakesh, saying: "I thank from my heart the organizers of the festival and the Moroccan people who show their admiration and love for Indian cinema."

76

Films from 33 countries will be shown at the festival over eight days.

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