30 novembre 2007
Competition films announced for 7th Marrakech International Film Festival
Marrakech-Morocco, November 22, 2007 – His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid, President of Foundation of Marrakech International Film Festival is proud announce the selection of films for the Competition section of the 7th Marrakech International Film Festival has been completed.
The competition showcases 14 chosen from more than 400 films, reflecting today's world diversity suitable for Marrakech city rich of culture.
The 7th Annual Marrakech International Film Festival will be held December 7 to 15, 2007, in Marrakech, Morocco.
Here is the list of films for the Competition program:
- SUGISBALL (AUTUMN BALL) by Veiko Ounpuu, Estonia
- L'ENVERS DU MIROIR by Nadia Cherabi, Algeria
- FUNUKEDOMO, KANASHIMINO AI WO MISERO (FUNUKE SHOW SOME LOVE, YOU LOSERS!) by Daihachi Yoshida, Japan
- GRAND HOTEL by David Ondřiček, Czech Rebublic
- SAMIRA FI DAYAA (LES JARDINS DE SAMIRA) by Latif Lahlou, Morocco
- MIEHEN TYÖ (MAN'S JOB) by Aleksi Salmenperä, Finland
- TIRADOR (SLINGSHOT) by Brillante Ma. Mendoza, Philippines
- KREMEN (THE HARD-HEARTED) by Alexey Mizgirev, Russia
- HONG SE KANG BAI YIN (THE RED AWN) by Cai Shangjun, China
- THE SAVAGES by Tamara Jenkins, USA
- KLOPKA (THE TRAP) by Srdan Golubovic, Serbia
- PARTES USADAS (USED PARTS) by Aarón Fernandez, Mexico
- GEOMEN TANGYI SONYEO OI (WITH THE GIRL OF BLACK SOIL) by Jeon Soo-il, South Korea
- WOLFSBERGEN by Nanouk Leopold, Netherlands
25 novembre 2007
HRH Prince Moulay Rachid captures the magic, true character and originality designed for MIFF
Marrakech-Morocco, November 21, 2007 -- Under the brave leadership of His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid, the Foundation of Marrakech International Film Festival, with all its strength, uses the entire energy to fulfill every one of its commitments.
His Royal Highness is pleased to announce an impressive line-up of international films and fresh new agendas for the fabulous city of Marrakech.
110 films from 23 countries will participate in the 7th edition of the Marrakech International Film Festival (MIFF). Among them, 14 titles were officially selected for competition.
Through this international competition, His Royal Highness is committed to continue for search of new talent and explore emerging cinema from various countries in the world.
Special attention will be given to Eastern European countries, while taking advantage of maturity of filmmakers in Hollywood and look at the potential benefits of certain countries in Asia.
With His Royal Highness leadership, courage and patience, MIFF achieved both success and true originality that illustrates the positive role cultural event can have in support for modern Morocco.
MIFF is a vigorous festival with awards presented in the following categories: the Grand Prix of MIFF (l'Etoile d'Or), Jury Prize, Best Actress and Actor prize.
The 7th Annual Marrakech International Film Festival will be held December 7 to 15, 2007, in Marrakech, Morocco.
24 novembre 2007
HRH Prince Moulay Rachid’s global advocacy of intercultural competence in action
Marrakech-Morocco, November 16, 2007 – His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid, Heir to the Moroccan Throne, pioneers countless significant initiatives to promote human development and intercultural dialogue and to enhance collaboration and peace through dialogue and cross-cultural exchange.
His Royal Highness underlines that the prospect for sustainable human development can be destabilize by the lack of acceptance and cross-cultural understanding.
In a few days (December 7-15), His Royal Highness will host the seventh annual Marrakech International Film Festival, which paints a powerful picture of intercultural tolerance and offering lasting prospects of respect for the future.
In brokering effective intercultural relationships, under the auspices of His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid and of Foundation of the Marrakech International Film Festival, the aim of the festival is promotion and strengthening of intercultural understanding through the arts.
The art, above all, is the testimony to the importance of intercultural dialogue and cinemagraphy can play a key role in advancing understanding among cultures.
His Royal Highness has a long record of work spent promoting intercultural and interfaith understanding and is committed to advancing international and intercultural understanding throughout a broad range of programs and missions.
23 novembre 2007
HRH Prince Moulay Rachid to showcase filmmakers’ talents to the world
Marrakech, November 5, 2007 – His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid, President of the Marrakech International Film Festival (MIFF), is stepping up his efforts to bring one of the world’s most exciting film events and most prestigious venue, one and only, the Marrakech International Film Festival in the beautiful vibrant city of Marrakech.
The festival marks its sevenths annual celebration of cultural diversity with international films, workshops and more, and celebrates the power of the film while providing a platform for international filmmakers, artists and supporters the MIFF. The festival aims at facilitating intercultural exchange through a wide variety of international programs.
The eligible for the competition were required to complete the registration file, which was due to be received before October 26, 2007 to: http://www.festivalmarrakech.info/index.php?preaction=joint&id_joint=62895
This year’s official selection of festival movies will be announced in the middle of November.
The Festival is Morocco’s leading intercultural festival, a dazzling week of internationally renowned movies and talents that attracts visitors from all over the globe to Marrakech.
Every year, the MIFF proves to be an excellent host in bringing together people from all continents to share views and explore interests in world's cinema and culture. The festival has won many admirers for its efforts in integrating the new medium into its ambitious global projects.
The seventh MIFF organized by HRH Prince Moulay Rachid and his Foundation of MIFF is expected to be held in December 7th to 15th 2007.
22 novembre 2007
HRH Prince Moulay Rachid stages love encounter between Morocco and Czech’s nations
Marrakech-Morocco, October 19, 2007 - His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid, President of Marrakech International Film Festival (MIFF), announced that the 7th MIFF jury’s president is Czechoslovakian born Milos Forman, actor, screenwriter, professor and two-time Academy Award-winning film director.
His Royal Highness’ selection for festival is an example of his leadership in finding innovative ways to bring cultures together and stimulate dialogue. This is the second jury’s president from the Slavic nation in festival's 7th edition after the renowned Polish director Roman Polanski, who led the jury last year.
Building on the success of last year’s MIFF, His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid has break festival free of the geographic limitations to literally bring the world to Marrakech, the city of intercultural crossroads.
Further utilizing on his academic knowledge and international skills, His Royal Highness’ special interest in fostering cross-cultural dialogue enhances understanding among today's youth and his goals and inspiration are translated behind events such as MIFF.
With his outstanding efforts, His Royal Highness provides Moroccans with the unique opportunity to explore distant countries and learn about culture, religion, and history through art, festival, film and other. He challenges his loyal subjects to open their minds and take part and celebrate cultural diversity and foster positive cross-cultural dialogue as he brings together different artistic genres and cultural traditions to integrate their styles and create original film festival.
21 novembre 2007
HRH Prince Moulay Rachid empowers the North African cinema
Marrakech-Morocco, October 17, 2007 – As part of outreach and awareness programs to empower cinematography, His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid, President of Marrakech International Film Festival, announced that the Marrakech International Film Festival (MIFF) will pay a special tribute to Egyptian cinema at its 7th edition, which will be held from December 7 to 15, 2007.
This year edition will see the screening of 40 major Egyptian films, recalling the various stages of cinema in this country, as a vehicle for His Royal Highness’ action plan, to endeavor breathe new life into North African cinematography.
For part of preparations for the festival, under the directions of His Royal Highness, Noureddine Eddine Saïl Vice president of the Foundation of MIFF, has just completed a two-day visit to Cairo.
During his visit to Egypt, Mr. Eddine Saïl held several meetings including with Egyptian Minister of Culture Farouq Hosni, the executive director of the National Center of Cinema, Chadi Abou Ali and several film industry professionals in Egypt.
His Royal Highness, who is well known for his affinity with arts and culture, aims to enhance and make MIFF the mantle of one of the leading voices for the development of cultural and economic exchanges with the highlight of the importance of dialogue between cultures and their role in cinematography.
In its editions of 2005 and 2006, the MIFF had paid tribute to the Spanish and Italian cinema respectively.
The famous Marrakech Film Festival is organized under the directions of His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid and his Foundation of Marrakech International Film Festival.
17 novembre 2007
Marrakech fest celebrates Egyptian cinema By KAELEN WILSON-GOLDIE
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117975734.html?categoryId=1445&cs=1
BEIRUT -- Next year Morocco will celebrate 50 years of film by marking the anniversary of Mohamed Ousfour's 1958 feature "Le Fils maudit" (The Damned Son), but in the meantime the Intl. Film Festival of Marrakech is reserving the honors for Egypt.
A 40-film tribute to 100 years of Egyptian cinema is among many highlights of the seventh edition at Marrakech, which is screening veteran director Youssef Chahine's latest, politically charged "Chaos," alongside his 1969 classic "The Land." Other selections by Egyptian helmers Salah Abou Seif, Tewfik Saleh, Yousri Nasrallah and Oussama Fawzi, among many others, also will attest to the golden age of Hollywood on the Nile.
Marrakech isn't the best place to scout Moroccan talent - festivals in Tangier and Casablanca have a tighter focus on local films -- and true to tradition, the fest is fielding only one Moroccan pic in competition, Latif Lahlou's "Les Jardins de samira," which already snagged a critics prize in Montreal.
But while Marrakech is still young, the fest has established itself for being ruthlessly international, intensely contemporary and committed to filmmaking of such quality to satiate hard-core cinephiles and public auds alike.
"We should all be citizens of the world but it is difficult to do," says Bruno Barde, the fest's artistic director since 2004. "Of course Marrakech is beautiful, but it is hard to organize a new festival there. The only thing that can make a difference is to show good films in good theaters. We've made a bet on quality in Marrakech."
The 15 films in competition boast healthy doses of Eastern European and Asian fare, while the Coup de Coeur sidebar places special emphases on women and conflict in Arab and African societies.
Also on offer are Flashbacks, devoted to Michelangelo Antonio, Ingmar Bergman and Tunisian producer Ahmed Baha Attia, all of whom died this year.
In addition, Marrakech is paying tribute to Japanese director Shinji Aoyama.
As always, the outdoor screenings at the Jamaa al-Fna are poised to be as popular and raucous as the festival's main venue at the Palais des Congres is glitzy and glamorous.
04 novembre 2007
HRH Prince Moulay Rachid officiates reorganization of MIFF Foundation
Marrakech-Morocco, October 14, 2007 -- His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid, Founder and President of Marrakech International Film Festival (MIFF) Foundation, has announced that the foundation will get new headquarters, which is already under the construction.
The announcement made within the framework of foundation’s pilot projects, the aim of the reorganization is to maximize its principles, while ensuring sustained improvement in order to meet foundations goals.
The Marrakech International Film Festival Foundation was established in 2001 by His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid and was endowed with the presidency of His Royal Highness. The Foundation is not-for–profit organization and was incorporated due to lack of opportunities for creative talents in cinematography.
The Foundation is distinguished for hosting the most renowned annual Marrakech International Film Festival.
Extraordinarily, the Foundation does not restrict its activities only to the famous festival, and specializes in the preservation and promotion of cultural wealth. The Foundation’s aim is to provide assistance to the diverse talents in front of and behind the camera. Social welfare projects also fall within its domain.
The purview of MIFF Foundation is very broad. Under the brave leadership of His Royal Highness, the 
foundation showcases and promotes work of diverse filmmakers and artists to Moroccan and International audiences. Its goal is to encourage and train new artists of all faces and to prepare them to reach ultimate victory.
To hundreds of young filmmakers dream came true due to generosity of His Royal Highness and his decisive contribution to the intellectual training of those who might play a leading role in cinematography.
Under the direction of His Royal Highness, the Foundation brings together emerging film talents from diverse Moroccan, African, Arab and International communities to network, dialogue, share, support and critique each other’s work.
For that reason, the Foundation has focused its activities to facilitate a forum where filmmakers and other film artists can interact and pitch their ideas to producers and investors. The Foundation is a main sponsor, along with European Union, of annual workshop of MEDA Films Development in Marrakech, with the aim of offering the opportunity to scriptwriter and producer teams to learn new ways of creating innovative ideas, expanding on them and collaborating to realize them as feature films.
In 2005, the Foundation has joined forces with the Tribeca Film Institute to create a pioneering filmmaking exchange program. The Marrakech/Tribeca Filmmaker Exchange was held in Marrakech in conjunction with film festival that brought together eight New York film students and eight emerging Moroccan directors. One of America's most honored film directors Martin Scorsese and Iran's Abbas Kiarostami has offered master classes, which were among the program's core offerings.
The preservation and promotion of intercultural understanding is also foundation’s mission furthering the vision of His Royal Highness. The Foundation also contributes in various ways to the promotion and enhancement of the contemporary artistic scene in Morocco and aboard. It also endorses the endeavors of other organizations on behalf of the cultural and scientific development.
Children being close to His Royal Highness heart, the foundation has been supporting non-governmental organizations by subsidizing the implementation of social welfare projects. Exclusively, the foundation has run the “Schoolbags Actions” to ease the financial burden of low-income families with children and to help them with basic education fees.
Under the leadership of His Royal Highness, the foundation works in the belief that knowledge and exploitation of the cultural heritage constitute a firm foundation for the future and for the preservation of the historic identity of Morocco, particularly during the unfavorable times following the 911.
The Foundation's Info:
The Marrakech International Film Festival Foundation
Bureau provisoire : Théâtre Royal de Marrakech
Adresse : BP 14212 – Riad Laarouss – Marrakech – Maroc
Tél : +212 (0) 24 43 24 93/94
Fax : +212 (0) 24 43 25 11
E-mail : ffifm@lafondation.ma
Site web : www.festivalmarrakech.info