Anya Taylor-Joy and Jenna Ortega have been appointed as members of the jury for the 2024 Marrakech International Film Festival, which is scheduled from November 28 to December 6. The Anya Taylor-Joy Marrakech Jury will oversee and evaluate feature films in the official competition, as part of the festival’s ongoing effort to promote emerging international talent.
Multinational Jury for Film Competition
This year’s festival jury brings together individuals from diverse cinematic backgrounds. Alongside Taylor-Joy and Ortega, the panel features filmmakers Celine Song, Julia Ducournau, Karim Aïnouz, and Hakim Belabbes, as well as actor-director Payman Maadi. Bong Joon Ho, acclaimed director of “Parasite,” was previously confirmed as the jury president for the event.
The panel is tasked with watching and judging fourteen debut and sophomore films, each hoping to be recognized in a competition designed for discovering and supporting new directors from across the globe. The official competition places special emphasis on innovation and fresh storytelling from a variety of cultural perspectives.
Profiles of the Jury Members
Anya Taylor-Joy, a British–American actress, gained international attention for her performance in “The Queen’s Gambit” and has continued to build her career with roles in “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” and “Dune: Part Two.” Jenna Ortega, who hails from the United States, is best known for starring in the series “Wednesday” and Tim Burton’s film “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.”
Canadian director Celine Song made her mark with the Oscar-nominated “Past Lives.” Julia Ducournau from France won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival for her film “Titane.” Her recent work, “Alpha,” premiered in the competition at Cannes in the current year. Karim Aïnouz from Brazil received the Un Certain Regard Award at Cannes for
“The Invisible Life of Eurídice Gusmão.”
His more recent features, “Firebrand” and “Motel Destino,” were contenders for the Palme d’Or.
Moroccan filmmaker Hakim Belabbes is recognized for his intimate and memory-driven films such as “Threads,” “In Pieces,” and “Boiling Dreams.” Iranian actor and director Payman Maadi became internationally known for his role in Asghar Farhadi’s “A Separation,” which garnered the Golden Bear at Berlinale and the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. His performance also earned him the Silver Bear for Best Actor.
Festival Outcomes and Anticipated Winners
The results of the jury’s deliberations will be revealed at the festival’s closing ceremony on December 6. The announcement will highlight the films and filmmakers who, according to the Anya Taylor-Joy Marrakech Jury and their esteemed colleagues, represent the most promising voices in today’s global cinema.
This edition of the Marrakech International Film Festival underscores the event’s commitment to diversity and the elevation of new film talent, with respected figures from British, American, French, Brazilian, Canadian, Iranian, and Moroccan cinemas participating. Cannes, the Berlinale, and the Academy Awards are among the major international stages where jury members have previously excelled, promising a rigorous and insightful judging process in Marrakech.
