Marrakech International Film Festival
The International Film Festival of Marrakech, or Marrakech International Film Festival, has been held annually in the city of Marrakech, in Morocco, since its inception in 2000. There is no other event in Morocco dedicated entirely to the film industry, which is bigger than the Marrakech International Film Festival. Every year, film enthusiasts, international celebrities, writers, actors and various big names in the film industry descend on Marrakech to participate in this well known event, and this year special tribute will be paid to two female superstars, namely Sigourney Weaver and Michelle Yeoh.
Michelle Yeoh made a name for herself in Asia starting her acting career through commercials and later moving over to martial arts movies, but reached a global audience with her outstanding performances in the movies Tomorrow Never Dies, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Memoirs of a Geisha and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. Sigourney Weaver on the other hand has been a household name for many years and even though she has made numerous memorable and award winning films, she will always be remembered for her role as Lieutenant Ellen Ripley in the Alien movies. Other films in which her talent was recognized include Gorillas in the Mist, Heartbreakers, The Ice Storm and Copycat. The festival will honor these two magnificent actresses, who organizers have described as “timeless female heroines”.
Other events to look forward to at the International Film Festival of Marrakech, include the 50 Years of Moroccan Cinema where tribute is paid to Mohamed Osfour through the screening of his films. Seven of the most popular movies directed by Andrei Konchalovsky will bring the Andrei Konchalovsky’s Russia Special to life, while British cinema is honored in the 40 Years of the British Cinema special that includes forty films that have been chosen, which map the history and development of film in the country. Another tribute will be paid to the Egyptian film industry and specifically one director, in the Best of Youssef Chahine special, that will screen eleven of his films.
Of course the festival is also all about discovery and fifteen films have been entered this year, from countries such as Ireland, China, Denmark and India, in the hopes of capturing the Etoile d’Or Prize. The festival will run from the 14th of November until the 22nd of November 2008 and is guaranteed to be an entertaining and star studded event. Film enthusiasts should ensure that they attend this prestigious event in Morocco.
