Marrakech International Film Festival (FIFM)

What it really is

The Marrakech International Film Festival was launched in 2001 on the initiative of King Mohammed VI, with French producer Daniel Toscan du Plantier as adviser. A dedicated Foundation was set up in July 2002, chaired ever since by Prince Moulay Rachid, brother of the King. Artistic direction is currently in the hands of Rémi Bonhomme. The programme runs for nine days across three venues: official competition and tributes at the Palais des Congrès, a few retrospectives at Le Colisée cinema in Guéliz, and most of all free open-air screenings every evening on Jemaa el-Fna square. The cinephile core sits in the Official Competition, around fifteen first or second features from around the world, judged by an eight-person jury chaired each year by a major filmmaker. The top prize, the Gold Star, handed out on the closing Saturday, has gone in recent years to Iranian, Mexican and Korean films. The FIFM is now a reference for cinema on the African continent and in the Arab world.

Taking it in

The event runs on two levels. On the red carpet at the Palais des Congrès, celebrities parade every evening around 7pm, the town buzzes around, a few locals bring their folding chairs to the pavement edge. The list of jury chairs speaks for itself: Bong Joon Ho, Luca Guadagnino, Jessica Chastain, Paolo Sorrentino, Tilda Swinton, James Gray have followed one another across recent editions. On Jemaa el-Fna, once night falls, a giant screen lights up facing Café Argana and a feature plays in the open air, free, open to whoever turns up: a cumulative fifty thousand viewers each edition, Moroccan families and travellers mixed together, the square turned into an open-sky cinema. Le Colisée, the emblematic Guéliz cinema on rue Prince Moulay Rachid, rounds out the line-up with reruns and tribute screenings. The audio description offered at some screenings remains rare in Morocco.

Getting there

All screenings at the Palais des Congrès and Le Colisée cinema are free, by booking on the festival’s official platform (marrakech-festival.com), which opens two to three weeks before the festival starts. Capacity is limited and fills within hours for the most sought-after sessions: book as soon as it opens. No booking needed for Jemaa el-Fna. Arrive an hour before the screening for a seat, later to stand in the crowd. Getting to the Palais des Congrès: it sits at the west end of Avenue de France, ten minutes by taxi from Guéliz, fifteen from the medina. Le Colisée is in Guéliz, on rue Prince Moulay Rachid, five minutes on foot from Place du 16 Novembre. Where to stay: Guéliz or Hivernage for the walk to the Palais and Le Colisée, the medina to walk over to Jemaa el-Fna in the evening. Book early, the town fills up during the festival. Weather in late November-early December: 10 to 20°C by day, 5 to 10°C at night. A warm layer is essential for the open-air screenings.

Pair it with

Plan four to five nights to soak up the programme without rushing. A medina morning, an afternoon screening at the Palais, dinner in Guéliz, the Jemaa el-Fna session around 8.30pm: the day fits easily. On a break day, a run out to Ourika or a morning in the gardens breaks up the rhythm without wearing you out. To carry the night on after a late screening, a Guéliz rooftop is five minutes from the Palais (see our rooftops picks). Late November-early December, the town runs at full tilt between the festival, the European bank-holiday breaks and the first year-end celebrations.

Who it is for, who it is not

For cinephiles who want to catch first or second features before everyone else. For a cultural trip that weaves together the city, cinema and tributes. For a family evening on Jemaa el-Fna, free, no booking or logistics. Less for: those who want the red-carpet exclusivity closed to the public (the FIFM owns its popular roots). Travellers who refuse crowds on Jemaa el-Fna at the end of the day. Cinephiles allergic to competitions of new discoveries, who prefer auteur retrospectives.

FAQ

When is the next edition? The 23rd edition runs from 20 to 28 November 2026, dates confirmed by the Foundation (call for films published in April 2026).

How do I book my seats? On marrakech-festival.com, booking opens two to three weeks before the festival. All screenings at the Palais des Congrès and Le Colisée cinema are free and named. Capacity fills fast.

How much is the entry fee? Free for every screening, by booking for the venues, no booking for Jemaa el-Fna.

Where do I catch the free open-air screenings? Every evening on Jemaa el-Fna square, giant screen on the Café Argana side. Arrive an hour before to sit down. Otherwise stand in the crowd.

Which accommodation do you recommend? Guéliz or Hivernage for the immediate walk to the Palais des Congrès and Le Colisée cinema. The medina to walk straight to Jemaa el-Fna in the evening. See our where-to-stay hub in Marrakech.

Is the red carpet open to the public? It is visible from the street around the Palais des Congrès, no direct public access. In-competition film introductions inside the Salle des Ministres need a booking on the official platform.

Sheet built from official sources - Marrakech International Film Festival (marrakech-festival.com), FIFM Foundation, Wikipedia. 2026 dates (20-28 November) confirmed by the Foundation’s call for films (April 2026). Next update expected at the opening of bookings, then at the release of the 2027 dates.