Marion Cotillard will chair the deliberations of the 23rd edition alongside eight international figures.
The Ochre City is preparing once again to become the crossroads of global filmmaking. On Thursday, 12 November 2026, the Marrakech International Film Festival unveiled the official line-up of the jury for its 23rd edition, with Academy Award-winning French actress Marion Cotillard appointed as president. Joined by eight acclaimed figures from international cinema, the jury president will be tasked with judging the 14 feature films competing in the Official Competition before announcing the winners and awarding the Étoile d’Or at the closing ceremony scheduled for Saturday, 28 November. True to its mission of uncovering new talent, this edition dedicates its entire official selection to the first and second films of emerging directors, encouraging the discovery of distinctive voices and fostering direct engagement with industry professionals and audiences alike.
A diversity of artistic and geographical perspectives
The make-up of this panel of experts reflects the richness and diversity of contemporary cinema, bringing together sensibilities from Morocco, France, Tunisia, Senegal, the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Luxembourg. Among the filmmakers invited to serve on the jury are Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania, internationally acclaimed for her bold exploration of the boundaries between documentary and fiction; British filmmaker Andrew Haigh, renowned for the subtlety of his intimate storytelling; and French-Senegalese director Ramata-Toulaye Sy, who garnered widespread attention with her debut feature in competition at the Cannes Film Festival. National cinema is superbly represented by Moroccan director and producer Saïd Hamich Benlarbi, who returns to the festival two years after presenting his second feature film in competition there.
Benefits for cultural appeal and event tourism
Staging this flagship cinematic event generates significant economic and cultural momentum for the Ochre City and the entire national audiovisual sector. Welcoming artistic delegations, international producers, and specialist media provides a substantial boost to the hotel, catering, and tourism industries during the autumn season. At the same time, showcasing home-grown talent on prestigious decision-making panels highlights the Kingdom’s artistic expertise, stimulates international co-production opportunities, and cements Marrakech’s standing as an unmissable cultural destination on the world stage.
