Tunisian director Erige Sehiri’s Promised Sky claimed the prestigious Étoile d’Or at the 22nd Marrakech International Film Festival, bringing a close Saturday to nine days of cinematic celebration. The festival’s top prize honored a film the jury described as a daring work of poetic energy anchored in reality.
Held at the Palais des Congrès, the closing ceremony saw a host of international talents recognized. The jury, chaired by Oscar-winning director Bong Joon Ho, awarded a joint special prize to Jihan K.’s My Father and Qaddafi and Vladlena Sandu’s Memory. The Best Directing prize went to Oscar Hudson for Straight Circle, whose lead actors, Elliot and Luke Tittensor, received a special mention.
Acting honors were awarded to Debora Lobe Naney for her performance in the winning Promised Sky and to Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù for his role in Akinola Davies Jr.’s My Father’s Shadow.
The jury, a constellation of global cinema figures including Jenna Ortega, Karim Aïnouz, Julia Ducournau, and Anya Taylor-Joy, brought what festival organizers called a “discerning and deeply committed perspective” to the selection.
The festival’s tributes provided some of the most emotional highlights. A lifetime achievement Étoile d’Or was presented to Jodie Foster, who spoke of cinema as a unifying force. “It’s the place where we hold hands, side by side, in the dark,” she told the audience, praising Morocco’s “enthusiasm and warmth.”
Egyptian screen legend Hussein Fahmi and Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro were also honored. Del Toro called Marrakech “a refuge, a haven for filmmakers young and old.” A poignant tribute was paid to Moroccan cinematic icon Raouya, who dedicated the honor to the national and global Moroccan public.
Beyond the competitions, the festival’s Conversations series drew large audiences for talks with figures like Bong Joon Ho, Jafar Panahi, and Tahar Rahim. The event drew over 47,000 spectators, including 7,000 young people through its youth outreach program.
The industry-focused Atlas Workshops supported 28 projects with 350 professionals, reinforcing its role as a key regional incubator. The festival also underscored its social mission, organizing a medical campaign in the Al Haouz region that provided 3,000 consultations and 400 cataract surgeries.
Under the presidency of HRH Prince Moulay Rachid, the 22nd edition concluded as a confluence of discovery, dialogue, and a reaffirmation of cinema’s power to connect.
TunisianMonitorOnline (Douha Essaafi)
