The Marrakech International Film Festival, in its 22nd edition held from November 28 to December 6, 2025, celebrates world cinema through a selection of 82 films from 31 countries.
According to the festival’s organizers, the films are distributed across several sections: the Official Competition, Gala Screenings, “Horizons,” The Eleventh Continent, Moroccan Cinema Panorama, Youth & Family, and films presented within special tributes.
Among the selected works, eight films are premiering worldwide, nine were supported by the Atlas Workshops, the festival’s professional development program, and fourteen have been chosen to represent their countries at the Academy Awards.
Spotlight on Emerging Talents
The Official Competition features 14 feature-length films, first or second works by their directors, competing for the Golden Star under a jury led by Bong Joon-ho. This category highlights a new generation of politically engaged filmmakers exploring social and historical issues through intimate, creative storytelling.
Among these films is “Behind the Palm Trees” by Meryem Ben M’Barek, premiering worldwide. The psychological thriller analyzes class relations and post-colonial dynamics with suspense and tension. Also featured is “The First Light” by James J. Robinson, an Australian-Filipino drama exploring faith and corruption through striking visual language.
Stories of Memory, Struggle, and Identity
Several directors revisit pivotal moments in their nations’ histories. “Before a Bright Day” by Shi Han Tsao portrays life under the threat of war in 1996 Taiwan. “In My Father’s Shadow” by Akinola Davies Jr. follows a Nigerian family during the 1993 electoral crisis. “The Laundromat” by Zamo Mkhwanazi explores youth dreams during apartheid South Africa.
Other films such as “Amoyiba” by Siew Taan and “Ish” by Imran Berita reflect teenage friendships awakening to political realities, in Singapore and London, respectively.
Women, Freedom, and Power
Three films highlight women’s resilience: “Sky Without a Land” by Arij Saheiri depicts solidarity against racism in Tunisia; “Broken Voices” by Ondřej Provazník is a stark drama about abuse of power; and “Aisha Can’t Fly” by Murad Mustafa follows a Sudanese woman seeking freedom in Cairo.
In documentaries like “Memory” by Vladlena Sando and “Papa and Gaddafi” by Jehan K., personal memories in Chechnya and Libya intertwine with collective history, blending intimacy and geopolitics.
Official Competition and Beyond
Other films such as “Straight Line Loop” by Oscar Hudson, a satirical exploration of conflict absurdity, and “Forastera” by Lucia Alinar Iglesias, a poetic summer tale of grief and rebirth, reveal the creativity of a new global generation of filmmakers.
Gala Screenings: Cinematic Highlights
The Gala section includes nine prestigious titles. The festival opens with “Dead Man’s Line” by Gus Van Sant, a dark comedy about the media and capitalism. “Zanka Málaga” by Meryem Touzani portrays a Spanish woman living in Tangier, played by Carmen Maura. Honorees include Guillermo del Toro, Jodie Foster, and Rebecca Zlotowski, presenting new films in tribute.
Two Arab premieres stand out: “El Setth” by Marwan Hamed, a biopic of the legendary Umm Kulthum starring Mona Zaki, and “Sophia” by Dhafer Laaïbi. “Hamnet” by Chloé Zhao closes the section with a moving family drama inspired by Shakespeare’s legacy.
Indian director Niraj Ghaiwan brings “Return Home”, a touching story of friendship starring Ishan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa. The festival concludes with “Palestine 36” by Annemarie Jacir, a historical epic about a crucial moment in Palestinian history featuring Arab cinema stars.
The “Horizons” and “Eleventh Continent” Sections
The “Horizons” section showcases 19 films by major directors including Park Chan-wook, Claire Denis, Jim Jarmusch, Kelly Reichardt, and Jafar Panahi. Emerging talents such as Ali Asgari and Melissa Guedi join them, offering a rich global panorama.
The “Eleventh Continent” features six feature films and nine documentaries pushing cinematic boundaries. Works by Masoud Bakhshi, Lucrecia Martel, Oliver Laxe, and Hélène Ghalmas share space with new voices like Kamal El Jafari, Lana Zaher, and Tamara Stepanian.
The festival also presents restored classics of Arab cinema, including “Al Sarāb” (1980) by Ahmed Bouanani, newly remastered for this edition.
Moroccan Panorama and Youth Screenings
The Moroccan Cinema Panorama section features seven national films, two of which debut globally: “With Moroccan Eyes” by Karim Dabbagh and “Luggage Rack” by Abdel Karim Al-Fassi. In total, fifteen Moroccan films are included across the festival’s lineup, a testament to the nation’s growing cinematic power.
The Youth & Family program offers 13 screenings designed for children and teens, encouraging the next generation to discover the joy of cinema.
Venues and Closing Tribute
Screenings will take place at iconic venues such as the Palais des Congrès, Cinema Colisée, and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum. This year’s honorees, Jodie Foster, Guillermo del Toro, Raouia, and Hussein Fahmy, will present special retrospectives celebrating their remarkable careers.
Marrakech, the Beating Heart of Moroccan Art
The Marrakech International Film Festival 2025 not only celebrates world cinema but also showcases Morocco’s leadership in creativity, dialogue, and artistic exchange. As Moroccan cinema continues to shine globally, the Kingdom’s cultural scene remains a source of pride and inspiration.
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