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By Liza Foreman
In the vibrant heart of Morocco, where ochre-colored walls meet azure skies, Melita Toscan du Plantier has orchestrated a cinematic revolution.
As the visionary president of the Marrakech International Film Festival, she has transformed what was once a local cultural event into a prestigious global platform that celebrates international cinema and bridges cultural divides. “It’s my passion,” she says. “I’m very passionate about this festival.”
What is more, the economic and cultural impact of the festival on Marrakech cannot be overstated. What was once primarily a tourist destination known for its markets and historical sites has now become a significant cultural capital in the global film industry.
Perhaps that is because Toscan du Plantier is no ordinary festival director. With a rich background in film production and cultural diplomacy, she has leveraged her extensive network and deep understanding of the international film landscape to elevate Marrakech from a regional film event to a must-attend destination for global cinema’s elite including Hollywood stars .
“We don’t pay anyone,” she says, referring to the fact that many festivals pay stars to attend. “They come because they want to.”
That’s no mean feat considering everyone from Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola and Tilda Swinton are fest alumni, not to mention countless others. The competition is fierce, thanks to deep-pocketed regional festivals like Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah.
Nonetheless, the 21st edition of the Marrakech Festival (Nov 29-Dec 8, 2024) counted Ava DuVernay, Patricia Arquette, Justin Kurzel, Monica Bellucci, Ali Abbasi, Walter Salles, Gemma Arterton, Todd Haynes, Tim Burton, Andrew Garfield, and Sean Penn among its jury members, guests and honorees. From the Arab world high-profile talent included Moroccan actress Nadia Kounda, film director Lina Souliman and Morocco producer Lamia Chraibi whose Tamayouz Foundation supports next gen female directors from Morocco who were feted during the fest.
“Have you seen our lineup of conversations?” says Toscan du Plantier proudly. Indeed this could well be the most star filled event yet.
The festival was launched in 2001 by Morocco’s King Mohammed VI. Since taking the helm of the festival in 2023, after her husband Daniel Toscan du Plantier, the festival’s first director, died abruptly, she has curated an experience that goes far beyond traditional film screenings.
Interestingly she’s very behind the scenes during the event giving a platform to talent, big and small, instead. Regulars like Swinton swoon about her.
Du Toscan Plantier is also big on mentoring which is evident at the annual Atlas Workshops industry event for filmmakers from Africa and North Africa. Lots of regional talent has been helped by this kind of support at the festival and by Atlas specifically.
In 2023, Ismae El Moudir’s movie The Mother Of All Lies made history as the first Moroccan film to win the Étoile D’Or, the festival’s top prize. It previously took part in Atlas. Other regional directors to have been mentored by the film festival include Sofia Alaoui with her film Animalia which went to Sundance; Yasmine Benkiran (Reines); Alaa Eddine Aljem (Le miracle du saint Inconnu); Kamal Lazraq (Les Meutes); and Saïd Hamich. His film La mer au loin plays in competition at this 21st edition.
Overall, the number of Moroccan films has increased from around 4 in 2001 to 35 each year and the majority are now by women.
The festival has become a significant launchpad for Arab and African cinema, a region often overlooked in international film circuits. By creating dedicated sections and awards that celebrate cinema from these regions, Toscan du Plantier has helped shift global perceptions and create opportunities for filmmakers who might otherwise struggle to gain international recognition.
High profile directors attending this year include jury head Luca Guadagnino and Jeff Nichols, the patron of this year’s Atlas Workshops.
Throughout the years, the festival has hosted tributes to international cinema legends who have come here. Martin Scorsese has been honored, as have international stars like Pedro Almodóvar and Penélope Cruz.
The festival’s career tributes attract some of cinema’s most distinguished talents. Francis Ford Coppola was honored in 2019, sharing insights into his work in The Godfather trilogy and his approach to filmmaking. Pedro Almodóvar received his career tribute in 2017, featuring a deep dive into his visual storytelling and his impact on Spanish and international cinema. Penélope Cruz offered a discussion in 2021 about her collaborations with directors like Almodóvar and her approach to character work. Marion Cotillard’s session in 2023 explored her navigation between French and Hollywood cinema, while Johnny Depp’s appearance in 2020 drew global attention.
Tilda Swinton has been a particularly memorable presence at the Marrakech International Film Festival, embodying the event’s commitment to artistic innovation. In previous editions, she has not only been honored with a special tribute, and served as a jury head, but has also conducted masterclasses.
From the Arab world recent directors have included Lina Soualem and Elia Suleiman. Many return again and again. After showing Bye Bye Tiberias, the biographical docu film that stars her mother Palestinian actress Hiam Abbass last year, Soualem returned this year to the Atlas Workshop with her first feature film Alicante. She was among award winners this year.
