The Marrakech Short Film Festival (MARRAKECHsFF) will make a comeback for its third edition, offering an international selection of films in iconic locations across Marrakech to promote Moroccan and international talent.
The press release noted that this festival, the first open-air film festival founded by women in Morocco, “will continue to bridge the gap between the short film industry and the city of Marrakech.”
This edition aims to showcase Moroccan and international talent through a rich and varied competition program, with screenings taking place between September 22 and 29 at the emblematic venues of the Bahia Palace, Cyber Park, Dar Cherifa, Villa Majorelle, the Source Hôtel, and other venues.
This year’s edition will welcome Poland as the guest of honor in partnership with the Polish Embassy. A selection of over ten Polish films will be projected, including “The Dress” by Oscar-nominated director Tadeusz Łysiak.
This edition will also feature an international selection of films from the USA, Cyprus, Greece, Palestine, Côte d’Ivoire, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, the Netherlands, and Saudi Arabia.
The festival will project a selection of short films, including several award-winning films such as “En Route” by Munir Abbar, winner of the Grand Prix at Oujda Maghreb Film Festival, “Seminal Animals” by Karim Souissi, winner of the First Jury Prize and the Audience Prize at the Encounters Festival in Bristol, UK, and “Nothing Holier than a Dolphin” by Margara Isabella that won the PUBLIC PRIZE at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival.
The festival will award thirteen prizes, including the awards for Best Film, Best Director, and Best Actor, which will be presented at the closing ceremony. The jury will be chaired by director Nour Eddine Lakhmari, accompanied by producer Rachida Saadi and actress Nisrine Erradi.
In addition to the official competition, the Marrakech Short Film Festival will launch a special program entitled “LOW BUDGET BUDGET”, which is dedicated to promoting Moroccan filmmakers who participated in previous editions, and aims to support and develop the Moroccan short film industry.
For its first edition, the program will feature films by two promising young Moroccan directors, Jihane Joypaul and Karim Tajouaout.