The Marrakech Short Film Festival (MARRAKECHsFF) continues its tradition of taking place on the last Friday of September. From September 27 to October 2, 2024, audiences will be able to enjoy this event at iconic venues in Marrakech such as the Palais Badi, the Palais Bahia, Arsat Moulay Abdeslam Garden and the Museum of Ornament Arts (LE MAP). Under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the festival returns to showcase excellence in short films, with a diverse program that highlights emerging talents as well as renowned figures from international cinema.
A Festival at the Intersection of Cultures
The 2024 edition of the MARRAKECHsFF will feature exceptional collaborations, notably with the “Marrakech, Capital of Islamic Culture” program and the "Qatar x Morocco Year of Culture 2024." These partnerships will strengthen the festival's role as a cultural crossroads, spotlighting films that explore themes of identity, diversity, and intercultural exchange.
A Prestigious Jury
The festival will welcome a distinguished jury, chaired by Moroccan filmmaker, actress, and producer Mayssa Maghrebi, alongside Sofia Alaoui and Nadia Kounda. These cinema experts will bring their keen insights to evaluate the works in competition, ensuring a selection of high-quality films.
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Films in Competition: A selection of short films from countries as diverse as France, Lebanon, Brazil, Canada, Poland, Senegal, Tunisia, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, and Norway. Each film offers a unique perspective, reflecting the realities and imaginations of different cultures. Award-winning films from Clermont-Ferrand, the Berlinale, the Red Sea International Film Festival, the National Festival of Tangier, and the Oman Film Festival will also be screened.
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The Competition: Three awards will be presented to Moroccan films:
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The Bellarj Award (Best Director) with competing directors: El Azhari Intissar, Zemati Anas, and Dhiaa Biya.
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The Bahja Award (Best Actor) with competing actors: Fatima Ezzahra El Jaouhari, Said Dahamane, Ali Boumehdi, and Aya Jabrane.
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The Nakhil Award (Best Film) with competing films: For Me, The Scarecrow, What Grows in the Palm of Your Hand? A Lamb, A Sheep and Ravens.
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A Special Jury Award will be given to a film from the international selection.
www.marrakechshortfest.com/
• Honored Guests: The festival will pay tribute to major figures in contemporary cinema, such as director and composer Kamal Kamal, ALFILM Festival director Pascale Fakhry, producer Lamia Chraibi, film critic Abdelkarim Ouakrim, Munka Studio Poland's head of programming Bartosz Friese, and animation filmmaker Aziz Bakouri, with masterclasses and open discussions.
• New Programs: Establishing a short film industry in Marrakech presents a unique opportunity to strengthen Morocco's cinematic landscape and position the city as a creative hub on a regional and international scale. This year, the MARRAKECHsFF is committed to two new initiatives in addition to the production assistance program launched last year:
o Training and Education: Launching a special program dedicated to film criticism titled "Master & Apprentice," in collaboration with the Swiss Embassy in Morocco. Inspired by Morocco's traditional learning method, this program features Mr. Abdelkarim Ouakrim, who will share his expertise with young apprentice Youssef Sebti. Together, they will prepare festival panels and masterclasses, jointly hosting discussions throughout the festival week.
o Networks and Collaborations: Over the weekend of September 28/29, film professionals will gather for our new International Incubator Program, an ambitious initiative designed to nurture future film talents by creating an environment conducive to innovation and collaboration. This flagship program, aimed at international film organizations and collective initiatives, will promote and support the short film industry. It will ensure representation from partner countries while facilitating exchanges with Moroccan platforms, fostering collaborations between Morocco and these nations. The program will feature organizations such as the ALFILM Festival in Berlin, Munka Studio in Poland, the Tamayouz Foundation in Morocco, Triaxis Studio in Morocco, Luna Productions in France, and the Doha Film Institute in Qatar.
• Excellence Award: This year, international organizations will present an Excellence Award to a Moroccan short film, recognizing the innovation and creativity of national cinema.
• Premieres: The 2024 edition will premiere the Polish animated film Jestem błękitem by Szyma Weronika, in the presence of the director, the Iranian film Suffocation, the Moroccan film For Me, and the Iraqi film Gone.
Partnerships and Support
The festival benefits from the support and partnership of several institutions, including the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication, ICESCO, the City of Marrakech, CCM, the Doha Film Institute, the Swiss Embassy, the Polish Embassy, Le Folk, Le Naoura Barrière Hotel, the Grand Atlas Association, the MARRAKCHI MADE agency, the MARRAKECH DESIGN DECOR agency, and the BOXOFFICE MAROC magazine.
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