The Marrakech International Film Festival announced the official selection of films participating in its 23rd edition, scheduled to take place from October 20 to 28, featuring 76 films from 39 countries, celebrating the diversity of global cinematic experiences and the plurality of their artistic and cultural expressions.
A statement from the festival's management, received by the News Video Agency, indicated that the official program is divided into several sections, including the official competition, celebratory screenings, "Horizons," "The Eleventh Continent," a panorama of Moroccan cinema, along with screenings for emerging audiences and families, and films presented as part of the tributes section.
The statement added that the current edition includes ten films that will be shown globally for the first time, while 12 cinematic works benefited from the support and mentorship of "Atlas Workshops," the professional program dedicated to developing film projects and supporting emerging talents, in addition to the participation of 11 films representing their countries among the nominations submitted to compete for the Oscars.
The official competition holds a prominent position within the festival program, featuring 14 feature films representing the first or second directorial experiences of their creators, in a step aimed at highlighting new talents and creative voices in global cinema, competing for the festival's Golden Star.
The jury of the official competition will be chaired by the Oscar-winning French actress Marion Cotillard, who will be responsible for selecting the film that wins the grand prize.
The announcement of the official selection reveals the outlines of the film program for the 23rd edition and confirms the continued efforts of the Marrakech Festival to strengthen its presence among the most significant international cinematic events and to establish the city as a space for cultural encounters and dialogue between filmmakers and their audience.