The fourth edition of the Marrakech International Film Festival, IFIFM is due to take place from 6 – 12 December. In previous years, the festival has succeeded in attracting international names. This year, fourteen films representing Europe, USA, South America, the Maghreb, Africa and Arab world will be projected. The President of the jury will be Sir Alan Parker.
The aim of the project is both financial and artistic. The authorities believe the festival will help put Morocco on the international map. King Mohammed VI and Prince Moulay Rachid has been heavily involved in promoting the festival emphasizing the great economic contribution it makes to the city not only because of job creation but also because it puts the city, which relies heavily on its tourist industry, in a good light.
Morocco already has a rich cinematic tradition stretching back to the Lumière brothers, the inventors of the cinema in 1896, who were invited by Sultan Moulay Abdelaziz to the Royal Palace in Fès, only one year after the first cinema film was ever projected.
Morocco is also keen nowadays to maintain warm relations with the top cinematographers. World hits such as "Lawrence of Arabia", many Bible films, the film "Alexander the Great" and "Othello" by Orson Wells were all shot in Morocco.
The festival has particular significance for Moroccan youth because it will be a good networking opportunity for budding cinematists. (albawaba.com)
