In a recent press release, the Marrakesh International Film Festival Foundation announced that its 19th edition will be held from November 11th to 19th. The last two festivals were postponed because of the pandemic, and the Foundation has said that“this year’s event will take into account the evolving health situation in Morocco and in the world.”
The Marrakesh International Film Festival (FIFM) was founded in 2001 by King Mohammed VI with the aim of “promoting and developing art and the film industry in Morocco.” Every yearsince then the festival has offered a programme of contemporary and classic international films. The other activities (competitions, conferences, workshops) are a means of creating “an intercultural bridge between nations.” Indeed the festival presents itself as “the only festival without censorship in the Arab world.”
For the past two years only the Ateliers de l’Atlas have been maintained, accessible online. Created in 2018, these workshops offer individual and group support for film-makers from Africa and the Middle East. The chosen candidates participate in a 4-day programme during which professionals help them develop “their first, second or third feature film.” Whatever the particular needs of each project, these workshops offer tutorials on writing, financing, production, filming and post-production. At the end of the workshop there are five awards: 3 for projects in development and 2 for those in post-production. Always trying to encourage creativity, the Foundation also organizes a “Cinécoles” competition for film students in the Kingdom.
Sources : Arabe News, Satellifacts, FIFM
