HIBAPRESS – Art
A few days before the start of the twenty-second edition of the Marrakech International Film Festival, which will take place between November 28th and December 6th, 2025, the festival announced the formation of the official jury, which includes eight distinguished figures from four continents, representing different generations and cinematic experiences. The jury will evaluate fourteen feature films that are the first or second work of their directors, within the framework of the official competition dedicated to discovering new cinematic talents.
The jury will be chaired by the global South Korean director Bong Joon-ho, the director of the famous film "Parasite," which won the Palme d'Or at Cannes and four Oscars. Bong is known for his unique style that blends social criticism and a deep narrative sense, which has given his works a distinguished position in contemporary cinema.
Joining Bong Joon-ho will be Brazilian-Algerian director Karim Aïnouz, known for his films with a sensitive visual sense and deep political dimensions; Moroccan director Hakim Belabbes, one of the most prominent contemporary Moroccan cinematic voices; French director Julia Ducournau, winner of the Palme d'Or; and Iranian actor and director Peyman Moaadi, one of the most prominent names who have excelled in Iranian and international cinema.
The jury also includes the brilliant American actress Jenna Ortega, who achieved global fame for her role in the series "Wednesday"; Canadian director Celine Song, who strongly imprinted on the global cinematic scene with the film "Past Lives"; in addition to the English-Argentine actress Anya Taylor-Joy, known for her successful roles in "The Queen's Gambit," "Furiosa," and "Dune."
Through this diverse formation, the festival affirms its keenness to create an artistic space that brings together different visions and styles and promotes a global dialogue between cultures through cinema. Its choice of influential figures from diverse backgrounds also reflects its desire to support renewal and innovation, and to affirm its role as an international platform for discovering talents and building creative bridges.
The jury will announce the winners of the awards of the edition during the closing ceremony on Saturday, December 6, 2025, to add a new page to the history of this prominent cinematic event that has established Marrakech's place on the global map of major festivals.
