Under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the event began with the customary procession of festival attendees, including Moroccan and international film luminaries, gracing the red carpet amidst the applause of the audience and the cameras of photographers representing diverse Moroccan and international media organizations.
The audience warmly welcomed the President of the Jury, Oscar-winning American actress and producer Jessica Chastain, and the Jury members, including Iranian actress Zar Amir, French actress Camille Cottin, Australian actor and director Joel Edgerton, British director Joanna Hogg, American director Dee Rees, Swedish-Egyptian director Tarek Saleh, Swedish actor Alexander Skarsgård, and French-Moroccan writer Leïla Slimani.
Chastain, in her address, extended heartfelt gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, HRH Prince Moulay Rachid, President of the Marrakech International Film Festival Foundation, and Melita Toscan du Plantier, the advisor to the President of the Festival Foundation, "for having been able to go ahead."
"Throughout history, art has served as a pivotal medium for communication and raising awareness of societal issues, aiming for positive change," she emphasized.
The jury president hailed the considerable female representation in this 20th edition's jury, declaring that this "exceptional jury, comprising six women and three men, is truly historic." These remarkable artists, through their vocations, have significantly contributed to raising public awareness and enhancing their communities' lives, she continued.
Chastain and the jury members officially declared the 20th edition of the Festival open, marking a pivotal moment in the festival's history.
The ceremony's highlight included a tribute to the esteemed Danish actor with an illustrious international career, Mads Mikkelsen, who was awarded the Festival's Étoile d'Or by the esteemed American actor Willem Dafoe.
Mads Mikkelsen stands as one of the few contemporary actors to seamlessly transition between roles in Hollywood blockbusters and European auteur cinema. His daring performances, magnetic presence, and brilliant reinvention from one film to another render him one of the most captivating and revered actors of his generation.
During his address, the Danish actor expressed his gratitude to the organizers for inviting him to this international event, expressing his joy to be back in Marrakech again, "having been there many years ago as part of a celebration of Scandinavian movies."
"It's incredible for someone who was young yesterday in Copenhagen, who didn't dream of being an actor but was inspired by heroes in the realm of human stories, to meet these heroes and share the stage with them," he added, extending heartfelt thanks to the Marrakech International Film Festival.
Fourteen feature films are contending for the Étoile d'Or in this year's official competition, notably including 8 directed by women. These films include a diverse array of stories and origins, from various countries, reflecting the global scope of cinematic storytelling.
Moreover, actors, directors, screenwriters, and producers are invited to share their insights and practices with the festival audience through engaging discussions. This vibrant exchange will feature prominent figures such as Australian actor and director Simon Baker, Moroccan director Faouzi Bensaïdi, French director Bertrand Bonello, American actor Willem Dafoe, Indian filmmaker and producer Anurag Kashyap, and American actor, director, and screenwriter Matt Dillon.
The festival will also showcase the works and perspectives of Japanese director Naomi Kawase, Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen (the recipient of the Festival's Étoile d'Or), American-Danish actor and director Viggo Mortensen, Scottish actress Tilda Swinton, and Russian director and screenwriter Andrey Zvyagintsev.
In line with its tradition, the Marrakech International Film Festival dedicates a special section to Moroccan cinema, featuring the "Panorama of Moroccan Cinema," presenting a curated selection of five films.
The Festival will confer the prestigious Étoile d'Or of the 20th Marrakech International Film Festival to the talented and poetic Moroccan director Faouzi Bensaïdi on this auspicious occasion.