Marion Cotillard to lead jury for 23rd Marrakech International Film Festival

The organizers of the Marrakech International Film Festival (FIFM) have officially announced the jury members for the festival's 23rd edition. The upcoming event will be presided over by French actress Marion Cotillard, who will lead a diverse panel of international cinema professionals. This prestigious jury is tasked with evaluating 14 feature films selected for the official competition. According to festival officials, the official competition is specifically dedicated to the first and second feature films of directors, aiming to discover new cinematic voices and provide support to emerging directors.

A diverse international jury

The jury for this edition represents a wide array of nationalities and cinematic backgrounds, including France, Morocco, Denmark, Tunisia, the United Kingdom, Senegal, and Luxembourg. Alongside Marion Cotillard, the panel includes several notable figures from the global film industry. The members include Danish actor Claes Bang and Luxembourgish actress Vicky Krieps. The group also features French-British actress Emma Mackey and French actor and director Gilles Lellouche.

The selection of directors on the jury highlights the festival's commitment to diverse storytelling. The panel includes Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania and British director Andrew Haigh. Also joining the jury are French-Senegalese director Ramata-Toulaye Sy and Moroccan director and producer Saïd Hamich Benlarbi. The presence of these professionals ensures a broad perspective during the evaluation process of the competing films.

Competition details and awards

The official competition focuses on the early works of filmmakers, providing a platform for those establishing their careers. The jury will review the 14 films in the official competition to determine the winners. According to festival information, the jury will award the Golden Star to the winner of the official competition during the closing ceremony. This ceremony is scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 28, 2026.

The festival continues to build on its history of showcasing significant talent. For example, Moroccan director Saïd Hamich Benlarbi previously participated in the official competition in 2024 with the film "La Mer au loin." By focusing on the first and second feature films of directors, the festival maintains its mission to foster new talent in the global film community.

Glossary

• Marrakech International Film Festival (FIFM) — The Marrakech International Film Festival (FIFM) is an event that issues awards to the best films, filmmakers, and actors in competition during its closing ceremony. The festival's official competition is dedicated to the first and second feature films of directors to discover new cinematic voices.
• Golden Star — The Golden Star is an award given to the winner of the official competition. It is presented during the festival's closing ceremony.
• official competition — The official competition is specifically dedicated to the first and second feature films of directors. It aims to discover new cinematic voices and provide support to emerging directors.