A major date for cinema in Africa
The 23rd Marrakech International Film Festival (FIFM) takes place from Friday 20 to Saturday 28 November 2026. Organised by the Festival Foundation, under the patronage of King Mohammed VI and chaired by Prince Moulay Rachid, it has become one of the main film events in Africa and the Arab world. Screenings are held mainly at the Palais des Congrès, the Colisée cinema and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum.
A jury led by Marion Cotillard
French actress Marion Cotillard, winner of the 2008 Oscar for best actress for La Môme (La Vie en rose), chairs the main jury, Le360 reports. She is joined by eight personalities from cinema:
– Claes Bang, Danish actor (The Square);
– Vicky Krieps, Luxembourg actress (Corsage);
– Emma Mackey, French-British actress (Sex Education);
– Gilles Lellouche, French actor and director (L'Amour ouf);
– Kaouther Ben Hania, Tunisian director (The Voice of Hind Rajab);
– Andrew Haigh, British director (45 Years);
– Ramata-Toulaye Sy, French-Senegalese director (Banel & Adama);
– Saïd Hamich Benlarbi, Moroccan director (La Mer au loin).
The competition
The 9 jurors will award the Étoile d'or to one of 14 first or second feature films, in line with the festival's focus on new talent. Morocco is represented in competition by Alkebulan, directed by Yassine Marco Marroccu, according to La Tribune de Marrakech.
76 films from 39 countries
In total, the programme includes 76 films from 39 countries, including 10 world premieres. The festival opens with Mona, directed by Jesse Eisenberg, with Julianne Moore. Gala screenings include Paper Tiger by James Gray, Artificial by Luca Guadagnino and La más dulce by Laïla Marrakchi, Morocco's entry for the Oscars. A panorama of Moroccan cinema presents 6 recent films, opening with Bardi by Tala Hadid; in all, 11 Moroccan films are on the programme.
Tributes and conversations
Three tributes are planned: to American actors Jeff Goldblum and John Turturro, and to Moroccan singer, composer and actor Younès Mégri. The « Conversations » series, where filmmakers discuss their work with the public, will host among others Goldblum, Turturro, Monica Bellucci, James Gray, Cristian Mungiu, Laïla Marrakchi, Luca Guadagnino, Xavier Dolan and Rian Johnson.
How to attend
Screenings are free with an e-pass, available online from 26 October to 28 November for people aged 18 and over, within the limit of available seats, according to Femmes du Maroc. The festival also runs the Atlas Workshops from 22 to 26 November, a programme supporting film projects from Africa and the Arab world: 30 projects from 14 countries were selected out of 410 applications, Challenge reports.
What remains to be confirmed
- The awards. The winners will only be known at the closing ceremony on 28 November.
- Programme changes. Festival schedules can change; check the official programme before travelling.
Sources
- Challenge — FIFM : Marion Cotillard présidente du jury de la 23e édition
- Femmes du Maroc — Marion Cotillard, Emma Mackey, Gilles Lellouche : le FIFM dévoile le jury de sa 23e édition
- La Tribune de Marrakech — Festival du film de Marrakech 2026 : dates, e-pass et accès
- Le360 — Festival international du film de Marrakech : le jury de la 23e édition dévoilé
