The Marrakech Film Festival celebrated its 20th edition this year, arriving at the landmark some 22 years after its 2001 launch due to the missed years of the pandemic.
Like its first year, which took place in the aftermath of the terror attacks of 9/11, the 2023 edition has unfolded in a geopolitically tense time due to the Israel-Hamas war.
The conflict, which prompted a number of Mena festivals to cancel or postpone their fall editions, came on top of the deadly earthquake in September in the nearby Atlas Mountains, which cast doubt on whether the festival would happen.
Festival director Mélita Toscan du Plantier says that once Morocco had taken the decision to continue with festival in the wake of the quake there was never any question of cancelling or postponing due to the conflict.
“I couldn’t sleep for days after October 7 and this is now a horrible war for both sides,...
Like its first year, which took place in the aftermath of the terror attacks of 9/11, the 2023 edition has unfolded in a geopolitically tense time due to the Israel-Hamas war.
The conflict, which prompted a number of Mena festivals to cancel or postpone their fall editions, came on top of the deadly earthquake in September in the nearby Atlas Mountains, which cast doubt on whether the festival would happen.
Festival director Mélita Toscan du Plantier says that once Morocco had taken the decision to continue with festival in the wake of the quake there was never any question of cancelling or postponing due to the conflict.
“I couldn’t sleep for days after October 7 and this is now a horrible war for both sides,...
- 12/1/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
‘Motherhood’ is directed by Tunisa’s Meryam Joobeur while ‘Amnesia’ is by Palestine’s Dima Hamdam.
The sixth edition of the four-day Atlas Workshops of the Marrakech International Film Festival (Fifm) closed on Thursday (November 30) with the presentation of eight awards representing total cash prizes €126,000
The three prizes for films in post-production went to Meryam Joobeur’s Motherhood, Mo Harawe’s The Village Next To Paradise and Mia Bendrimia’s The Magma.
Motherhood is the anticipated feature debut of Oscar-nominated Tunisian-Canadian filmmaker Joobeur and is produced by Sarra Ben Hassen of Tunisia’s Instinct Blue.
Somalian filmmaker Harawe’s The...
The sixth edition of the four-day Atlas Workshops of the Marrakech International Film Festival (Fifm) closed on Thursday (November 30) with the presentation of eight awards representing total cash prizes €126,000
The three prizes for films in post-production went to Meryam Joobeur’s Motherhood, Mo Harawe’s The Village Next To Paradise and Mia Bendrimia’s The Magma.
Motherhood is the anticipated feature debut of Oscar-nominated Tunisian-Canadian filmmaker Joobeur and is produced by Sarra Ben Hassen of Tunisia’s Instinct Blue.
Somalian filmmaker Harawe’s The...
- 12/1/2023
- by E. Nina Rothe
- ScreenDaily
‘Motherhood’ is directed by Tunisa’s Meryam Joobeur while ‘Amnesia’ is by Palestine’s Dima Hamdam.
The sixth edition of the four-day Atlas Workshops of the Marrakech International Film Festival (Fifm) closed on Thursday (November 30) with the presentation of eight awards representing total cash prizes €126,000
The three prizes for films in post-production went to Meryam Joobeur’s Motherhood, Mo Harawe’s The Village Next To Paradise and Mia Bendrimia’s The Magma.
Motherhood is the anticipated feature debut of Oscar-nominated Tunisian-Canadian filmmaker Joobeur and is produced by Sarra Ben Hassen of Tunisia’s Instinct Blue.
Somalian filmmaker Harawe’s The...
The sixth edition of the four-day Atlas Workshops of the Marrakech International Film Festival (Fifm) closed on Thursday (November 30) with the presentation of eight awards representing total cash prizes €126,000
The three prizes for films in post-production went to Meryam Joobeur’s Motherhood, Mo Harawe’s The Village Next To Paradise and Mia Bendrimia’s The Magma.
Motherhood is the anticipated feature debut of Oscar-nominated Tunisian-Canadian filmmaker Joobeur and is produced by Sarra Ben Hassen of Tunisia’s Instinct Blue.
Somalian filmmaker Harawe’s The...
- 12/1/2023
- by E. Nina Rothe
- ScreenDaily
Melita Toscan du Plantier has been the driving force behind the Marrakech Film Festival ever since her late husband, revered French producer Daniel Toscan du Plantier, wrote to Morocco’s king two decades ago expressing “his ambition for a big international festival in Morocco,” as she recounts.
The festival’s 20th edition is currently underway in the ancient Moroccan city, despite the Israel-Hamas conflict that has caused cancellations of several other fests in the region as well as the earthquake that hit the country in September. Significantly, a slew of stars have turned up to support the event such as Tilda Swinton, Jessica Chastain (who is presiding over the main jury) and Isabelle Huppert.
Variety spoke to Melita Toscan du Plantier about navigating this year’s many challenges, including the increasingly crowded end-of-year Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region festival season.
You are the key figure behind this festival since its inception 20 years ago.
The festival’s 20th edition is currently underway in the ancient Moroccan city, despite the Israel-Hamas conflict that has caused cancellations of several other fests in the region as well as the earthquake that hit the country in September. Significantly, a slew of stars have turned up to support the event such as Tilda Swinton, Jessica Chastain (who is presiding over the main jury) and Isabelle Huppert.
Variety spoke to Melita Toscan du Plantier about navigating this year’s many challenges, including the increasingly crowded end-of-year Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region festival season.
You are the key figure behind this festival since its inception 20 years ago.
- 11/27/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
However Jessica Chastain and her jury could be relied on for glamour.
The opening night of this year’s Marrakech International Film Festival (Fifm) on Friday (November 24) night was a low-key affair in keeping with Fifm’s aim of foregoing parties and lavish red carpets in favour of a deeper cultural experience.
A few attendees even wore jeans and sneakers, an unorthodox mode of attire for any red-carpet event. But these are unusual times following the devastating earthquake in Morocco in Septemberr and the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. The “red carpet” for the evening was tucked away in a side room of the Palais des Congrès,...
The opening night of this year’s Marrakech International Film Festival (Fifm) on Friday (November 24) night was a low-key affair in keeping with Fifm’s aim of foregoing parties and lavish red carpets in favour of a deeper cultural experience.
A few attendees even wore jeans and sneakers, an unorthodox mode of attire for any red-carpet event. But these are unusual times following the devastating earthquake in Morocco in Septemberr and the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. The “red carpet” for the evening was tucked away in a side room of the Palais des Congrès,...
- 11/27/2023
- by E. Nina Rothe
- ScreenDaily
Martin Scorsese has cancelled his trip to the Marrakech International Film Festival at the eleventh hour, which he was due to attend as the special honorary guest of its 20th edition.
The director is a long-time supporter of the Moroccan festival, attending it five times since its creation in 2021.
He is also a close friend of its director Mélita Toscan du Plantier, who has been a driving force behind the event ever since the sudden death in 2003 at the Berlin Film Festival of her husband Daniel du Plantier, who founded the festival.
No reason was given for the last minute cancellation but sources close to the festival said the director had remained at home in New York for personal reasons.
As well as participating in this year’s 20th edition celebrations, Scorsese had also agreed to take on the role of patron of the sixth edition of the Atlas Workshops.
The director is a long-time supporter of the Moroccan festival, attending it five times since its creation in 2021.
He is also a close friend of its director Mélita Toscan du Plantier, who has been a driving force behind the event ever since the sudden death in 2003 at the Berlin Film Festival of her husband Daniel du Plantier, who founded the festival.
No reason was given for the last minute cancellation but sources close to the festival said the director had remained at home in New York for personal reasons.
As well as participating in this year’s 20th edition celebrations, Scorsese had also agreed to take on the role of patron of the sixth edition of the Atlas Workshops.
- 11/24/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Jessica Chastain, resplendent in a shimmering silver tasseled jump suit, championed the power of art to bring about positive change at the opening night of the Marrakech Film Festival on Friday evening.
The actress is the attending the Moroccan film festival as the president of the jury.
She was joined on stage by jury members Iranian Holy Spider actress Zar Amir, Call My Agent! star Camille Cottin, Australian actor and director Joel Edgerton, UK director Joanna Hogg, U.S. director Dee Rees and Swedish filmmaker Tarik Saleh and actor Alexander Skarsgård.
“Throughout history art has been used as an accessible tool for communication, raising awareness about social issues and effecting positive change,” she said.
Citing the words of renowned anthropologist Margaret Mead on the power of “a small group of thoughtful committed citizens” to change the world, Chastain called on all those in the theatre to embrace the arts.
“I...
The actress is the attending the Moroccan film festival as the president of the jury.
She was joined on stage by jury members Iranian Holy Spider actress Zar Amir, Call My Agent! star Camille Cottin, Australian actor and director Joel Edgerton, UK director Joanna Hogg, U.S. director Dee Rees and Swedish filmmaker Tarik Saleh and actor Alexander Skarsgård.
“Throughout history art has been used as an accessible tool for communication, raising awareness about social issues and effecting positive change,” she said.
Citing the words of renowned anthropologist Margaret Mead on the power of “a small group of thoughtful committed citizens” to change the world, Chastain called on all those in the theatre to embrace the arts.
“I...
- 11/24/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
“Funny Birds,” an heartwarming comedy-drama starring Andrea Riseborough, Catherine Deneuve and Morgan Saylor, has sold in key territories in the run up to the AFM.
Executive produced by Martin Scorsese, the movie is directed by Marco La Via and Hanna Ladoul. Newen Connect represents the film in international markets and will host a market screening for buyers at the AFM.
Exploring three generations of women and their last chance for reconciliation, “Funny Birds” has sold to Australia and New Zealand (Kismet Movies), Germany (Filmwelt), Middle East (Grand Entertainment), Spain (Selecta Vision), Austria (Filmladen), Bulgaria (Beta Film), Switzerland (Pathé Films) and Ukraine (Svoe Kino), along with global airlines (Ricochet). In France, “Funny Birds” will be released by Ugc Distribution and TF1 Studio.
“Funny Birds” follows Charlie (Saylor) who returns from boarding school to the New Jersey countryside to take care of her estranged mother Laura (Riseborough) who runs a small chicken farm.
Executive produced by Martin Scorsese, the movie is directed by Marco La Via and Hanna Ladoul. Newen Connect represents the film in international markets and will host a market screening for buyers at the AFM.
Exploring three generations of women and their last chance for reconciliation, “Funny Birds” has sold to Australia and New Zealand (Kismet Movies), Germany (Filmwelt), Middle East (Grand Entertainment), Spain (Selecta Vision), Austria (Filmladen), Bulgaria (Beta Film), Switzerland (Pathé Films) and Ukraine (Svoe Kino), along with global airlines (Ricochet). In France, “Funny Birds” will be released by Ugc Distribution and TF1 Studio.
“Funny Birds” follows Charlie (Saylor) who returns from boarding school to the New Jersey countryside to take care of her estranged mother Laura (Riseborough) who runs a small chicken farm.
- 10/30/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Line-up includes ’Meet The Leroys’ starring Charlotte Gainsbourg and José Garcia.
Newen Connect has added a trio of star-powered French comedies – Meet The Leroys, Here & There and Karaoké – to its slate and the TF1-owned company will kick off sales for the new films at AFM.
Meet The Leroys is written and directed by International Emmy-nominated Florent Bernard (Le Flambeau) and stars Charlotte Gainsbourg and José Garcia in a story of a man facing divorce who attempts to rekindle his wife’s affections by taking her and their teenage children on a road trip down memory lane.
The film is...
Newen Connect has added a trio of star-powered French comedies – Meet The Leroys, Here & There and Karaoké – to its slate and the TF1-owned company will kick off sales for the new films at AFM.
Meet The Leroys is written and directed by International Emmy-nominated Florent Bernard (Le Flambeau) and stars Charlotte Gainsbourg and José Garcia in a story of a man facing divorce who attempts to rekindle his wife’s affections by taking her and their teenage children on a road trip down memory lane.
The film is...
- 10/27/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
The company has boarded star-powered French features ‘Take Me Home’ and ’Under The Rainbow’.
Newen Connect, the international sales arm of the Tfi Group’s Newen Studios, has snapped up rights to star-powered French features Take Me Home and Under the Rainbow and will kick off sales in Cannes. Both will be released in France by Ugc Distribution.
Take Me Home is the first feature from directing duo Karine Blanc and Michel Tavares and stars Clovis Cornillac, alongside Eyé Haïdara in a story about a struggling country singer who moves with her children to a mountain village and turns the...
Newen Connect, the international sales arm of the Tfi Group’s Newen Studios, has snapped up rights to star-powered French features Take Me Home and Under the Rainbow and will kick off sales in Cannes. Both will be released in France by Ugc Distribution.
Take Me Home is the first feature from directing duo Karine Blanc and Michel Tavares and stars Clovis Cornillac, alongside Eyé Haïdara in a story about a struggling country singer who moves with her children to a mountain village and turns the...
- 5/11/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
Nicole Kidman arrives at the Chanel/Charles Finch Pre Oscars soirée and dinner at the Polo Lounge in Beverly Hills and makes clear that she’s just stopping by to say hello. ”I have two daughters at home, and they’ll be up all night unless I put them to bed!”
Kidman was referring to Sunday Rose, 14, and Faith Margaret, 12.
Related: Pete Hammond’s Final Oscar Predictions: ‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’, ‘All Quiet On The Western Front’, ‘Elvis’, ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Could Be Multiple Winners
Related Story The Academy Awards Photos: Live From The Red Carpet & Gala Ceremony Related Story Oscars Winners List – Updating Live Related Story Yulia Navalnaya, Wife Of Imprisoned Russian Opposition Leader Alexei Navalny, To Attend Oscars
“The 14-year-old wants to accompany me to parties, but I have to be strict about that,” Kidman tells me as we chat in the Polo Lounge garden.
Related: Best...
Kidman was referring to Sunday Rose, 14, and Faith Margaret, 12.
Related: Pete Hammond’s Final Oscar Predictions: ‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’, ‘All Quiet On The Western Front’, ‘Elvis’, ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Could Be Multiple Winners
Related Story The Academy Awards Photos: Live From The Red Carpet & Gala Ceremony Related Story Oscars Winners List – Updating Live Related Story Yulia Navalnaya, Wife Of Imprisoned Russian Opposition Leader Alexei Navalny, To Attend Oscars
“The 14-year-old wants to accompany me to parties, but I have to be strict about that,” Kidman tells me as we chat in the Polo Lounge garden.
Related: Best...
- 3/12/2023
- by Baz Bamigboye
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Newen Connect CEO Rodolphe Buet is happy to be back in person at the Berlinale’s European Film Market after the three-year Covid-19 hiatus.
“It’s fun to be in Berlin. When I started in the industry in 2005, my first market was Berlin with Studiocanal,” he says.
In the interim, Buet rose through the Studiocanal ranks to become president of distribution and marketing from 2015 to 2017, overseeing the rollout strategies for Paddington and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy among other major films.
He was appointed CEO of Paris-based Newen Connect in 2020, piloting its creation in the wake of TF1’s 100 acquisition of Newen Studios out of the merger of their distribution arms TF1 Studio, Newen Distribution and Reel One International.
He has spent the last three years steadily putting in place a structure in step with the convergence between the audiovisual and cinema worlds, appointing Leona Connell as Chief Commercial Officer...
“It’s fun to be in Berlin. When I started in the industry in 2005, my first market was Berlin with Studiocanal,” he says.
In the interim, Buet rose through the Studiocanal ranks to become president of distribution and marketing from 2015 to 2017, overseeing the rollout strategies for Paddington and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy among other major films.
He was appointed CEO of Paris-based Newen Connect in 2020, piloting its creation in the wake of TF1’s 100 acquisition of Newen Studios out of the merger of their distribution arms TF1 Studio, Newen Distribution and Reel One International.
He has spent the last three years steadily putting in place a structure in step with the convergence between the audiovisual and cinema worlds, appointing Leona Connell as Chief Commercial Officer...
- 2/17/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Melita Toscan du Plantier, the driving force behind the Marrakech Film Festival, is developing the next directorial outing of Fanny Ardant with Martin Scorsese attached to executive produce.
The movie will star Gerard Depardieu and revolve around an impossible relationship between siblings. Toscan du Plantier, who splits her time between production and the organization of the Marrakech Film Festival, is producing the film with Julien Madon whose banner Cheyenne Productions is owned by Federation.
The untitled project was penned by Ardant in collaboration with Jacques Fieschi, the co-screenwriter of “Lost Illusions” and “Mal de Pierres.” Toscan du Plantier said Scorsese will be creatively involved in the production, from the script – which was translated for him — to the editing.
The project is being developed by Toscan du Plantier and Julien Madon’s banner with whom Toscan du Plantier has a first look deal. The pair is already working with Scorsese on “Funny Birds,...
The movie will star Gerard Depardieu and revolve around an impossible relationship between siblings. Toscan du Plantier, who splits her time between production and the organization of the Marrakech Film Festival, is producing the film with Julien Madon whose banner Cheyenne Productions is owned by Federation.
The untitled project was penned by Ardant in collaboration with Jacques Fieschi, the co-screenwriter of “Lost Illusions” and “Mal de Pierres.” Toscan du Plantier said Scorsese will be creatively involved in the production, from the script – which was translated for him — to the editing.
The project is being developed by Toscan du Plantier and Julien Madon’s banner with whom Toscan du Plantier has a first look deal. The pair is already working with Scorsese on “Funny Birds,...
- 11/19/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Mélita Toscan du Plantier has spent the best part of two decades running Morocco’s Marrakech International Film Festival.
This work carries on the legacy of her late husband, influential French producer Daniel Toscan du Plantier, who was the driving force behind the festival’s launch in 2001, overseeing two editions before his death in 2003 at the Berlin Film Festival.
Famously well-connected within the film world, Mélita Toscan du Plantier has since put the event on the international film festival map, pulling together starry juries and guest lists that would not look out of place at Cannes.
This year’s edition, running November 11 to 19, featured Paolo Sorrentino, Vanessa Kirby, Diane Kruger, Justin Kurzel, Nadine Labaki, Laïla Marrakchi and Tahar Rahim in the jury while other guests included Jim Jarmusch, Julia Ducournau, Leos Carax, Paul Schrader and Indian mega-star Ranveer Singh.
During the pandemic, this work was put on hold after the...
This work carries on the legacy of her late husband, influential French producer Daniel Toscan du Plantier, who was the driving force behind the festival’s launch in 2001, overseeing two editions before his death in 2003 at the Berlin Film Festival.
Famously well-connected within the film world, Mélita Toscan du Plantier has since put the event on the international film festival map, pulling together starry juries and guest lists that would not look out of place at Cannes.
This year’s edition, running November 11 to 19, featured Paolo Sorrentino, Vanessa Kirby, Diane Kruger, Justin Kurzel, Nadine Labaki, Laïla Marrakchi and Tahar Rahim in the jury while other guests included Jim Jarmusch, Julia Ducournau, Leos Carax, Paul Schrader and Indian mega-star Ranveer Singh.
During the pandemic, this work was put on hold after the...
- 11/18/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Paolo Sorrentino, the Oscar-winning director of “The Great Beauty” and “The Hand of God,” is set to preside over the jury of the Marrakech International Film Festival. The popular fest will make a comeback this year after a pair of editions were canceled due to the pandemic. The upcoming fest will take place Nov. 11-19.
Sorrentino’s jury will award the Étoile d’Or to one of 14 feature-length films set to compete at the festival, which aims at showcasing rising filmmakers from around the world. The helmer follows the footsteps of prestigious directors and talents such as Martin Scorsese and Tilda Swinton, who presided over previous years.
“The Marrakech Film Festival is for me the place where the dream of watching numerous films with Martin Scorsese, and of spending days talking about cinema with him and other talented colleagues, came true,” Sorrentino said in a statement. “I believe — I want...
Sorrentino’s jury will award the Étoile d’Or to one of 14 feature-length films set to compete at the festival, which aims at showcasing rising filmmakers from around the world. The helmer follows the footsteps of prestigious directors and talents such as Martin Scorsese and Tilda Swinton, who presided over previous years.
“The Marrakech Film Festival is for me the place where the dream of watching numerous films with Martin Scorsese, and of spending days talking about cinema with him and other talented colleagues, came true,” Sorrentino said in a statement. “I believe — I want...
- 9/7/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Phillip Youmans’ “Burning Cane” took home the Founders Award for best narrative feature at the 18th annual Tribeca Film Festival on Thursday, with star Wendell Pierce earning Best Actor.
Youmans, a 19-year-old freshman at NYU, is the first African-American director to win the Founders Award and the youngest director to have a feature in Tribeca — he was just 17 when he wrote, directed and shot the film, about the fractious relationship between a mother and son in rural Louisiana.
Korean director Bora Kim’s “House of Hummingbird” won for best international narrative feature, and Ji-hu Park won best international actress.
In addition, Ellen Fiske and Ellinor Hallin won for their documentary feature “Scheme Birds.”
Here’s the complete list of winners.
Also Read: 'Xy Chelsea' Film Review: Doc Tackles Chelsea Manning's Very In-Progress Story
U.S. Narrative Competition Categories:
The jurors for the 2019 U.S. Narrative Competition were Lucy Alibar,...
Youmans, a 19-year-old freshman at NYU, is the first African-American director to win the Founders Award and the youngest director to have a feature in Tribeca — he was just 17 when he wrote, directed and shot the film, about the fractious relationship between a mother and son in rural Louisiana.
Korean director Bora Kim’s “House of Hummingbird” won for best international narrative feature, and Ji-hu Park won best international actress.
In addition, Ellen Fiske and Ellinor Hallin won for their documentary feature “Scheme Birds.”
Here’s the complete list of winners.
Also Read: 'Xy Chelsea' Film Review: Doc Tackles Chelsea Manning's Very In-Progress Story
U.S. Narrative Competition Categories:
The jurors for the 2019 U.S. Narrative Competition were Lucy Alibar,...
- 5/2/2019
- by Thom Geier
- The Wrap
The Tribeca Film Festival today announced the jury members who will select winners in the film and immersive sections of its upcoming 18th gathering. The jurors will award work in ten categories.
This year’s jury features award-winning filmmakers, actors, producers, and cultural leaders, including Angela Bassett, Rebecca Miller, Orlando von Einsiedel, Steve Zaillian, Drake Doremus, Famke Janssen, Jenny Lumet, Tig Notaro, Chloë Sevigny, and more. The festival will take place in New York City from April 24-May 5.
In all, over 52 industry leaders have been selected to honor feature length and short film categories, comprised of narratives and documentary films, as well as Storyscapes, the juried section of the Virtual Arcade, presented by At&T.
The jurors will also present the Tribeca X Award, celebrating branded storytelling at the intersection of advertising and entertainment.
The festival additionally plans to announce the winner of the seventh annual Nora Ephron Award, created to...
This year’s jury features award-winning filmmakers, actors, producers, and cultural leaders, including Angela Bassett, Rebecca Miller, Orlando von Einsiedel, Steve Zaillian, Drake Doremus, Famke Janssen, Jenny Lumet, Tig Notaro, Chloë Sevigny, and more. The festival will take place in New York City from April 24-May 5.
In all, over 52 industry leaders have been selected to honor feature length and short film categories, comprised of narratives and documentary films, as well as Storyscapes, the juried section of the Virtual Arcade, presented by At&T.
The jurors will also present the Tribeca X Award, celebrating branded storytelling at the intersection of advertising and entertainment.
The festival additionally plans to announce the winner of the seventh annual Nora Ephron Award, created to...
- 4/16/2019
- by Anita Bennett
- Deadline Film + TV
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