24 novembre 2008
HRH Crown Prince Moulay Rachid divulges a new first in Africa and Arab world
Marrakech, November 23, 2008 -- The Marrakech International Film Festival (MIFF) has become an essential part of the Kingdom of Morocco’s cultural events map.
The festival, held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Moulay Rachid, makes it possible for viewers and film professionals to see the recent international productions.
This edition, under the direction of Crown Prince Moulay Rachid, MIFF offers for visually impaired people unique experience that no one else offers to the global audience.
Franco-German TV channel Arte has help to adapt eight films to allow visually impaired people to follow them using "Audio Description." An actor's voice describes each scene and is transmitted by headset.
This developed strategy is huge boost to festival to distinguish itself from the other events of this kind, since the MIFF is a first on international scene to adopt the technique of "Audio Description".
The organizations of the MIFF have laud and paid tribute to His Royal Highness Crown Prince Moulay Rachid who " honoured them with His generosity so that films can still enjoy by the blind and visually impaired" in Morocco.
The project, they added, "would not have been possible without the full material and moral support of His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid."
Russian film wins top international award
The top prize at the Marrakech International Film Festival has been awarded to ‘Wild Field’ by Georgian director Mikhail Kalatozishvili. The film, representing Russia, tells the story of a young doctor who chooses to work in the deserted steppe and becomes close to the local villagers.
Earlier this year Wild Field was singled out at the Venice Film Festival and also won several awards at the main Russian Film Festival.
Another Golden Star award went to Andrey Konchalovsky, a prominent film director, for his achievements in cinematography.
23 novembre 2008
The 'Audio Description', a unique technique in Morocco, that allow the visually impaired to follow films
For this eighth edition, the IFFM provides a rare experience globally and unique nationally, It is the scheduling of a new section allowing a category of moviegoers who are visually impaired to follow the entire film using the "Audio Description" technique.
It is based on the description of film sequences through a voice transmitted by "headset" to people that are visually impaired or cannot see. The festival aims to distinguish itself in relation to other events of this kind, by adopting the technique of "Audio Description", which is a first in international film festivals including those held in Africa and the Arab world.
Thus only 8 films by renowned filmmakers have been selected and adapted by the technical development of the French-German channel ARTE, reported the initiators of this project, on Sunday at the Palais des Congress in Marrakech. Through this option, the IFFM is intended to encourage players of the audiovisual sector, including National Broadcasting and Television, to adopt such technology in national productions to allow greater availability to visually impaired individuals.
This will give them access to the cinema with the knowledge that it is regarded as a place of entertainment for the visually impaired as well. The initiators underlined this project at a press conference "although it is a first in Morocco, is a rewarding experience despite some hesitations. But we are confident the prospects are promising."
The communications manager of the project, Mr. Rashid SEBBAH, said that "it is thanks to this technology of audio description, which has the objective of promoting the film for the visually impaired, that will allow this specific category of film audience to enjoy their rights to culture, entertainment, dreams and the curiosity of the cinema" The 8th edition of the IFFM "oversaw the adoption of this new option to separate itself compared to other festivals of this kind, especially as the technique of " audio description "is a first in international film festivals organized in Africa and the Arab world" said the initiators.
The project, they added, "would not have been possible without the full material and moral support of His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid." They seized this opportunity to pay tribute to His Royal Highness who " honoured them with his generosity so that films can still enjoy by the blind and visually impaired" in Morocco.
They have also paid a great tribute to Her Highness the Princess Lamia Solh, president of the Alaouite Organization of the Protection of Blind Moroccans (OAPAM) who helped "the dissemination of information on this project within Blind institutions in Morocco, and transcription of documents in Braille in English and Arabic, distributed to blind and visually impaired spectators of the Festival.
" The participants also expressed their deep appreciation to the members of the IFFM Foundation, who sponsored and have extended a hand to this project. They finally delivered a very special tribute to the Franco-German ARTE channel, the principal assistant, who has chosen and technically adapted 8 films of emminent directors to be screened at the 8th edition of the IFFM.
Three films by Alfred Hitchcock's "Strangers on a Train," "To Catch a Thief" and "The Birds," a film by Stanely. Kubrick's "Lolita", a film by David. Lean "Doctor Zhivago", a film by Richard. Attenborough "Gandhi", a film by James Ivory "A Room With A Life" and Michael. Apted film "Gorillas in the Mist."
22 novembre 2008
HRH Crown Prince Moulay Rachid spends all day working at Marrakech Congress Palace
Marrakech, November 20, 2008 -- In the esteem of highlighting the Marrakech International Film Festival's historical role, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Moulay Rachid on Tuesday November 18th spent all day working at the Congress Palace of Marrakech, center ground of MIFF.
Crown Prince Moulay Rachid began his day grand touring and viewing every office in the facilities of the Congress Palace for a first hand inspection of the condition and presentation.
Crown Prince Moulay Rachid also met organizers of the MIFF, urged them to use all potential to reach expected levels and elevate toward the achievement of goals to ensure that the Festival continues to play its pioneering role.
Crown Prince Moulay Rachid also expressed admiration over the fantastic milestones on the way to industry’s victory achieved by the MIFF.
Impressively continuing to provide His philanthropy’s role in press freedom, Crown Prince Moulay Rachid also visited pressroom and spoke to the coordinators in charge of both national and international press.
The talks included on the importance commitments to democratic reform and media freedom, including detailed rules specifying MIFF.
The two sides also discussed prospects of enhancing cooperation, featured lists and ideas for the Festival.
Crown Prince Moulay Rachid later went to see all technology-rich equipment and the arrangements for feeding this 8th edition of the International Film Festival.
The working rendezvous came to reaffirm Crown Prince Moulay Rachid special care and support to preserving Morocco’s cultural heritage and His commitment to promoting its cultural richness.
Crown Prince Moulay Rachid was accompanied by the member of Marrakech International Film Festival Foundation.
USA Today praises Crown Prince Moulay Rachid leadership to bridge cultural divide
Marrakech, November 20, 2008 -- Understanding the power of communication and education in changing the world, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Moulay Rachid affects positive change in His country, boosting to the realization of more peaceful world through increasing awareness about the different cultures, which promote peace and enhance human security.
Crown Prince Moulay Rachid is the founder and president of the Marrakech International Film Festival Foundation, drafting the beginning of a unique endeavor linking films around the world through intercultural and intergenerational networks to bridge global divides.
Determined to bridge cultural divide, Crown Prince Moulay Rachid created the platform to foster dialogue among cultures and civilizations through the Marrakech International Film Festival.
In addition in His concrete and sustained initiatives, Crown Prince Moulay Rachid piloted a bold innovative, the Marrakech film school, to eradicate the idea of a clash of civilizations and to enhance dialogue of civilizations.
The actress Sigourney Weaver will address students at the new Marrakech film school on Monday (November 17, 2008).
Both the festival and the film school are cultural initiatives of Prince Moulay Rachid.
"They're going to be very important things for our own film industry," Weaver says.
"They're going to help us in the West get the stories that will help us understand each other," reports USA Today.
Crown Prince Moulay Rachid, who has been focusing much of His projects on the need to bridge the divide between North and South, and East and West, renowned the importance of cross-cultural dialogue.
21 novembre 2008
Hola on HRH Crown Prince Moulay Rachid and MIFF
http://www.hola.com/cine/2008/11/17/sigourney-weaver/
20 novembre 2008
Gala spotlights HRH Crown Prince Moualy Rachid and His initiative MIFF
By Juliette Serfati http://www.gala.fr/l_actu/on_ne_parle_que_de_ca/charlotte_rampling_a_donne_le_coup_d_envoi_du_festival_de_marrakech
19 novembre 2008
"They're going to help us in the West get the stories that will help us understand each other."
http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2008-11-16-sigourney-weaver-marrakech_N.htm
The actress will address students at the new Marrakech film school on Monday. Both the festival and the film school are cultural initiatives of Prince Moulay Rachid. "They're going to be very important things for our own film industry," Weaver says. "They're going to help us in the West get the stories that will help us understand each other."
17 novembre 2008
HRH Crown Prince Moulay Rachid lauds contribution to the construction of the future
Marrakech, November 15, 2008 – His Royal Highness Crown Prince Moulay Rachid, President of MIFF Foundation, yesterday inaugurated the 8th Marrakech International Film Festival (MIFF) at Marrakech Congress Palace.
Crown Prince Moulay Rachid praised all efforts made to embrace the different variables to ensure the life of future generations, saying: “It is our duty to honor the memory of those who contribute to the construction of the future.”
Crowning all efforts by tribute, Crown Prince Moulay Rachid stressed that the festival will miss this year the warm sight of HASSAN SQALLI.
Crown Prince Moulay Rachid also was pleased to extend His profound gratefulness to Egyptian filmmaker Youssef Chahine, who died last summer, ensuring that MIFF is full of the memory of the great moviemaker through the production of seven of his most beautiful films ever made.
Recalling the power of films on spectators, Crown Prince Moulay Rachid similarly honored and was appreciative of the unstinted Seventh Art that allows MIFF to feel the pulse of the earth and see how humanity today needs to build and watch all its pictures and dreams.
Receiving guests with a warm welcome, Crown Prince Moulay Rachid looked remarkably elegant in impeccably tailored tuxedo.
This year guest list includes US actor Sigourney Weaver, Polish-born French film director Roman Polanski, British actress Charlotte Rampling, US director and president of the jury of the 8th edition of the MIFF, Barry Levinson, Italian actress Caterina Murino and more.
The 8th Marrakech International Film Festival, initiative of Crown Prince Moulay Rachid, is organized every year by Him established Foundation of MIFF.
8th Marrakech International Film Festival in pictures
Morocco’s magnificent initiative of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Moulay Rachid
