Cairo-based film marketing and distribution outfit Mad Solutions has acquired rights for Arab territories to three films that celebrated their premieres this year at the Cannes and Venice film festivals.
The deals include Fyzal Boulifa’s “The Damned Don’t Cry,” which bowed in the Venice Days sidebar at the Italian fest and will have its Middle East and North Africa premiere at Marrakech before traveling to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Festival. Also acquired was Rachid Hami’s “For My Country,” a Venice Horizons selection that will have its regional premiere at the Cairo Film Festival.
The company also picked up the rights to Clément Cogitore’s “Sons of Ramses,” which had its world premiere in the Cannes Film Festival’s Critics’ Week strand.
“We are delighted to have acquired the distribution rights to three artistically distinguished films in 2022, which is considered the climax of our efforts in...
The deals include Fyzal Boulifa’s “The Damned Don’t Cry,” which bowed in the Venice Days sidebar at the Italian fest and will have its Middle East and North Africa premiere at Marrakech before traveling to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Festival. Also acquired was Rachid Hami’s “For My Country,” a Venice Horizons selection that will have its regional premiere at the Cairo Film Festival.
The company also picked up the rights to Clément Cogitore’s “Sons of Ramses,” which had its world premiere in the Cannes Film Festival’s Critics’ Week strand.
“We are delighted to have acquired the distribution rights to three artistically distinguished films in 2022, which is considered the climax of our efforts in...
- 11/16/2022
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Moroccan director Nour-Eddine Lakhmari – whose trilogy of films, “Casanegra,” “Zero” and “Burnout,” were major local hits – is completing a documentary for the Marrakech Film Festival Foundation, entitled “Turn the Light On,” about the Foundation’s medical-social campaign, that provides free cataract surgery treatment.
The campaign is organized in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Hassan II Foundation of Ophthalmology and has been in existence since 2009. Lakhmari filmed 310 operations in one week.
A 6-minute teaser from the documentary will be screened in the closing ceremony of the Marrakech Film Festival on Saturday. The final 45-minute version will be released in early 2020.
Lakhmari is also preparing a new feature film about a young woman who runs away from home and moves to a remote village in Morocco. This marks a significant break from the style and themes of his previous films, which revolved around strong male protagonists, street violence and were all lensed in Casablanca.
The campaign is organized in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Hassan II Foundation of Ophthalmology and has been in existence since 2009. Lakhmari filmed 310 operations in one week.
A 6-minute teaser from the documentary will be screened in the closing ceremony of the Marrakech Film Festival on Saturday. The final 45-minute version will be released in early 2020.
Lakhmari is also preparing a new feature film about a young woman who runs away from home and moves to a remote village in Morocco. This marks a significant break from the style and themes of his previous films, which revolved around strong male protagonists, street violence and were all lensed in Casablanca.
- 12/5/2019
- by Martin Dale
- Variety Film + TV
Morocco is becoming a popular destination for international film and TV shoots, while Moroccan talent is producing cinema and TV content that is traveling widely abroad.
Earlier this year Morocco implemented a new 20% cash rebate scheme that has helped generate a foreign production spend of $60 million up until last month, up on the $48 million spend recorded last year, according to Sarim Fassi Fihri, head of the Moroccan Cinema Center.
Moroccan films also enjoyed a higher presence in leading international film festivals this year, including films that are screening in Marrakech Film Festival’s Morocco Panorama, such as Meryem Benm’barek’s “Sofia,” Hicham Lasri’s “Jahiliya,” Narjiss Nejjar’s “Stateless,” and Faouzi Bensaidi’s “Volubilis.”
International productions lensing in Morocco this year include 18 feature films and 16 TV series. The biggest film productions this year include Ciro Guerra’s “Waiting for the Barbarians,” based on J.M. Coetzee’s novel, starring Johnny Depp and Robert Pattinson,...
Earlier this year Morocco implemented a new 20% cash rebate scheme that has helped generate a foreign production spend of $60 million up until last month, up on the $48 million spend recorded last year, according to Sarim Fassi Fihri, head of the Moroccan Cinema Center.
Moroccan films also enjoyed a higher presence in leading international film festivals this year, including films that are screening in Marrakech Film Festival’s Morocco Panorama, such as Meryem Benm’barek’s “Sofia,” Hicham Lasri’s “Jahiliya,” Narjiss Nejjar’s “Stateless,” and Faouzi Bensaidi’s “Volubilis.”
International productions lensing in Morocco this year include 18 feature films and 16 TV series. The biggest film productions this year include Ciro Guerra’s “Waiting for the Barbarians,” based on J.M. Coetzee’s novel, starring Johnny Depp and Robert Pattinson,...
- 12/8/2018
- by Martin Dale
- Variety Film + TV
Ten leading European sales agents attended the first edition of Marrakech Film Festival’s Atlas Workshops. In interviews with Variety the executives emphasized the importance of this new industry event, which will help leverage the importance of Marrakech as a key industry hub for Arab and African filmmakers.
Films Boutique’s Gabor Greiner said that the workshops provided an excellent opportunity to meet filmmakers and producers from the region, some of whom don’t travel very often to festivals in Europe.
“African cinema has tremendous potential and we’re keen to learn more about cinema from the region. As sales agents we’re on the lookout for something that stands out, and it can be easier to find unusual new voices in a region where cinema production is less common.”
Greiner cited examples of recent films that have raised visibility for Africa-related issues – such as Aalam-Warqe Davidian’s tragic romance “Fig Tree,...
Films Boutique’s Gabor Greiner said that the workshops provided an excellent opportunity to meet filmmakers and producers from the region, some of whom don’t travel very often to festivals in Europe.
“African cinema has tremendous potential and we’re keen to learn more about cinema from the region. As sales agents we’re on the lookout for something that stands out, and it can be easier to find unusual new voices in a region where cinema production is less common.”
Greiner cited examples of recent films that have raised visibility for Africa-related issues – such as Aalam-Warqe Davidian’s tragic romance “Fig Tree,...
- 12/6/2018
- by Martin Dale
- Variety Film + TV
This year’s edition of the Marrakech Intl. Film Festival includes an unprecedented number of Moroccan films, including seven films in the new Morocco Panorama sidebar, and a tribute to local actor/director Jillali Ferhati.
When the festival was launched in 2001, Moroccan cinema was in a relatively fragile state and one of the fest’s key goals was to reinforce the local industry, which now seems to be paying dividends.
Over recent years, Moroccan cinema has enjoyed significant popular success at home and also rising international acclaim, as shown by the fact that several of the films playing in the Morocco Panorama have also screened at fests such as Berlin, Cannes and Venice.
Local filmmakers include both powerful male and female helmers, as reflected in the Morocco Panorama.
The fest’s artistic director Christoph Terhechte says that he hopes its international guests will discover the best of recent Moroccan cinema,...
When the festival was launched in 2001, Moroccan cinema was in a relatively fragile state and one of the fest’s key goals was to reinforce the local industry, which now seems to be paying dividends.
Over recent years, Moroccan cinema has enjoyed significant popular success at home and also rising international acclaim, as shown by the fact that several of the films playing in the Morocco Panorama have also screened at fests such as Berlin, Cannes and Venice.
Local filmmakers include both powerful male and female helmers, as reflected in the Morocco Panorama.
The fest’s artistic director Christoph Terhechte says that he hopes its international guests will discover the best of recent Moroccan cinema,...
- 12/2/2018
- by Martin Dale
- Variety Film + TV
Kent Jones’ “Diane,” Eva Trobisch’s “All Good” and Lila Aviles’ “The Chambermaid” are among the 14 features competing at the revamped Marrakech Film Festival, which opened Friday and runs to Dec. 8.
“Diane,” which world premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and won three awards, stars Mary Kay Place (“The Big Chill”) as a mother desperately trying to bond with her son, who suffers from drug addiction. The movie was executive produced by Martin Scorsese.
“All Good,” Trobisch’s debut, revolves around a young woman who is raped but refuses to be a victim. The movie was a standout at Locarno, where it won the first-feature competition.
“The Chambermaid,” from Mexican theater actress-turned-helmer Aviles, premiered in Toronto’s Discovery section and won two awards at the Morelia Film Festival. The movie portrays Eve, a young chambermaid working at Mexico City’s classy Hotel Presidente Internacional. Trobisch and Aviles’ pics are among...
“Diane,” which world premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and won three awards, stars Mary Kay Place (“The Big Chill”) as a mother desperately trying to bond with her son, who suffers from drug addiction. The movie was executive produced by Martin Scorsese.
“All Good,” Trobisch’s debut, revolves around a young woman who is raped but refuses to be a victim. The movie was a standout at Locarno, where it won the first-feature competition.
“The Chambermaid,” from Mexican theater actress-turned-helmer Aviles, premiered in Toronto’s Discovery section and won two awards at the Morelia Film Festival. The movie portrays Eve, a young chambermaid working at Mexico City’s classy Hotel Presidente Internacional. Trobisch and Aviles’ pics are among...
- 11/30/2018
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Qatar’s Doha Film Institute (Dfi) backs 32 projects in autumn funding round.
Moroccan filmmaker Narjiss Nejjar (Cry No More), Lebanon’s Bassem Breish and Palestinian director Suha Arraf (Villa Touma, pictured) are among the latest recipients of the Doha Film Institute’s grants programme aimed at first and second-time film-makers in the Middle East and Africa region.
The Qatari organization backed a total 32 projects from 27 countries in its autumn funding round.
Nejjar received support for upcoming film Stateless about a girl who will do anything to re-connect with her mother, including marry an aging, blind man.
Breish is working on The Maiden’s Pond, about two woman connected to the same man who need to find a way of living side by side in the same village.
Arraf, whose last film was Villa Touma, is currently working on The Poster, about a Palestinian village situated within Israeli borders which is stirred up when a controversial poster appears...
Moroccan filmmaker Narjiss Nejjar (Cry No More), Lebanon’s Bassem Breish and Palestinian director Suha Arraf (Villa Touma, pictured) are among the latest recipients of the Doha Film Institute’s grants programme aimed at first and second-time film-makers in the Middle East and Africa region.
The Qatari organization backed a total 32 projects from 27 countries in its autumn funding round.
Nejjar received support for upcoming film Stateless about a girl who will do anything to re-connect with her mother, including marry an aging, blind man.
Breish is working on The Maiden’s Pond, about two woman connected to the same man who need to find a way of living side by side in the same village.
Arraf, whose last film was Villa Touma, is currently working on The Poster, about a Palestinian village situated within Israeli borders which is stirred up when a controversial poster appears...
- 12/14/2016
- ScreenDaily
Annemarie Jacir, Bassem Breish and Hala Lotfy to present projects at co-pro event taking place during Dubai International Film Festival.
Arab cinema focused co-production event the Dubai Film Connection (Dec 10-14) – taking place within the Dubai International Film Festival (Diff) (Dec 9-16) - has unveiled its 2015 line-up.
Returning after a one-year hiatus, the Dfc has unveiled a packed slate of 12 film projects from Palestine, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Morocco and Jordan.
Under new criteria for the relaunched event, the projects must have 20% of the budget in place.
“We were originally going for 10 projects but as there were so many good submissions we managed to squeeze in an extra two,” said director Jane Williams, who has returned as head of the event.
Palestinian director Annemarie Jacir, Lebanese filmmaker Bassem Breish and Egypt’s Hala Lotfy will be among the directors presenting their upcoming feature projects.
Jacir will present her Nazareth-set dark comedy Wajib revolving around an estranged father...
Arab cinema focused co-production event the Dubai Film Connection (Dec 10-14) – taking place within the Dubai International Film Festival (Diff) (Dec 9-16) - has unveiled its 2015 line-up.
Returning after a one-year hiatus, the Dfc has unveiled a packed slate of 12 film projects from Palestine, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Morocco and Jordan.
Under new criteria for the relaunched event, the projects must have 20% of the budget in place.
“We were originally going for 10 projects but as there were so many good submissions we managed to squeeze in an extra two,” said director Jane Williams, who has returned as head of the event.
Palestinian director Annemarie Jacir, Lebanese filmmaker Bassem Breish and Egypt’s Hala Lotfy will be among the directors presenting their upcoming feature projects.
Jacir will present her Nazareth-set dark comedy Wajib revolving around an estranged father...
- 11/16/2015
- ScreenDaily
In his role as Jury President of the Marrakech International Film Festival, Martin Scorsese described the method that he and his fellow jurors would apply when watching films: “We will not be like critics,” he said. “We love films too much.” The stars were out in full force at the Marrakech International Film Festival. The names accompanying The Wolf of Wall Street director on judging duty would have graced Cannes. The list included actresses Marion Cotillard, Patricia Clarkson and Golshifteh Farahani and directors Paolo Sorrentino, Fatih Akin, Park Chan-Wook, Amat Escalante, Narjiss Nejjar and Anurag Kashyap. The prize for best film went […]...
- 12/11/2013
- by Kaleem Aftab
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
In his role as Jury President of the Marrakech International Film Festival, Martin Scorsese described the method that he and his fellow jurors would apply when watching films: “We will not be like critics,” he said. “We love films too much.” The stars were out in full force at the Marrakech International Film Festival. The names accompanying The Wolf of Wall Street director on judging duty would have graced Cannes. The list included actresses Marion Cotillard, Patricia Clarkson and Golshifteh Farahani and directors Paolo Sorrentino, Fatih Akin, Park Chan-Wook, Amat Escalante, Narjiss Nejjar and Anurag Kashyap. The prize for best film went […]...
- 12/11/2013
- by Kaleem Aftab
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
Prize winners of the 2013 Marrakech International Film Festival have been unveiled by jury president Martin Scorsese and jurists Fatih Akin, Patricia Clarkson, Marion Cotillard, Amat Escalante, Golshifteh Farahani, Anurag Kashyap, Narjiss Nejjar, Park Chan-wook and Paolo Sorrentino (who had to miss his big night at the European Film Awards). South Korean director Lee Su-jin took the top festival prize, The Golden Star, for his drama "Han Gong-Ju" (gorgeous Korean trailer below). The jury prize went to 2013 Cannes Fipresci winner Jeremy Saulnier's arthouse revenge film "Blue Ruin," tying with Carlos Machado Quintela's "The Swimming Pool." Full list of winner's below: The Golden Star - The Festival Grand Prize Han Gong-ju de/by Lee Su-jin (South Korea) The Jury Prize Blue Ruin by Jeremy Saulnier (USA) The Swimming Pool (La piscina) de/by Carlos MacHado Quintela (Cuba & Venezuela) The Best Directing Prize Medeas by Andrea Pallaoro (USA, Italy...
- 12/8/2013
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Thompson on Hollywood
With a jury headed by Martin Scorsese and including Faith Akin, Patricia Clarkson, Marion Cotillard, Amat Escalante, Golshifteh Farahani, Anurag Kashyap, Narjiss Nejjar, Park Chan-wook and Paolo Sorrentino and with masterclasses conducted by Bruno Dumont, James Gray, Abbas Kiarostami, Nicolas Winding Refn and Régis Debray, the Marrakech Flim Festival certainly isn't slouching when it comes to attracting big name talent. And effort extends to the official lineup of the festival. Organizers unveiled their slate today which contains cream of the crop of the festival circuit over the past year. Celebrated and/or highly anticipated films like "The Immigrant," "Blue Ruin," "The Zero Theorem," "Like Father Like Son" are among the highlights with many more selections from across the world cinema scene. Check out the full list below. The Marrakech Film Festival runs from November 29th to December...
- 11/8/2013
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
The Playlist has worked our passports hard this year, booking time at festivals around the world including: Sundance, Berlin, SXSW, Tribeca, Goteburg, Karlovy Vary, Los Angeles, Telluride, Toronto, New York, London, Festival Du Nouveau Cinema, Savannah, Fantastic Fest and more. Believe it or not we got another coming up: Marrakech. In addition to the films, the festival is has unveiled an excellent slate of masterclasses set to be headed up by Bruno Dumont, James Gray, Abbas Kiarostami, Nicolas Winding Refn and Régis Debray. The 13th edition of the Marrakech International Film Festival takes place from November 29th to December 7th. The jury will be comprised of Martin Scorsese, Faith Akin, Patricia Clarkson, Marion Cotillard, Amat Escalante, Golshifteh Farahani, Anurag Kashyap, Narjiss Nejjar, Park Chan-wook and Paolo Sorrentino. Full press release below. Marrakech International Film Festival...
- 11/5/2013
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
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