FIFM: Marrakech rolls out the red carpet

The city of Marrakech rolled, on Friday evening, the red carpet for the masters of world cinema on the occasion of the tenth International Film Festival

Marrakech - The city of Marrakech rolled, on Friday evening, the red carpet for the masters of world cinema on the occasion of the opening of the tenth International Film Festival (FIFM), held under the patronage of HM King Mohammed VI

    At the entrance of the Palais des Congrès, a large crowd gathered to watch the parade of national and international movie stars. The Keanu Reeves, Eva Mendes, Jean Dujardin, Gad El Maleh, among others, have prompted the wild applauses and cries of moviegoers and onlookers.

    The opening ceremony paid a glowing tribute to the first director of the festival Daniel Toscan du Plantier, who died in 2003.

    Director of the French Cinematheque Serge Toubiana awarded the "Golden Star" to the deceased''s spouse Melita Toscan du Plantier, FIFM''''s current director.
    “We are here thanks to HM King Mohammed VI, who had the ambition of a great festival and placed his confidence in Daniel (Toscan du Plantier),” she said, thanking HRH Prince Moulay Rachid, President of FIFM Foundation, “for his confidence, creativity and ongoing support.”

    Fifteen feature-length films from around the world are vying to win the "Golden Star" of the Festival. This year will also see the festival launching its first short film contest.

    After Morocco, Spain, Italy, Egypt, Great-Britain and South Korea, the International Film Festival of Marrakech will pay tribute to France through the screening of 75 movies.

    The jury of the official competition, which brings together renowned artists, is chaired by the famous American filmmaker John Malkovich, while the short film contest will be presided over by German scripwriter and director Volker Schloendroff.

    Following last year''''s success of the screenings for the blind and partially sighted audience, the Marrakech International Film Festival has programmed for this year''''s edition seven new audio-described feature films including the second Moroccan feature film adapted by the FIFM Foundation to this new technique, “the Moroccan Symphony” directed by Kamal Kamal.

MAP