Morocco News central: FIFM: Marrakech rolls out the red carpet

FIFM: Marrakech rolls out the red carpet
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editor on 08/12/2010 23:00:00
 
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