The Marrakech International Film Festival is more than just a platform for showcasing the works of aspiring and emerging directors. For years, the foundation behind the event has been actively promoting cinema among young audiences across Morocco, aiming to cultivate a lifelong bond with the film industry, whether as professionals or avid moviegoers.
Filmmakers often describe the shared joy of watching a film on the big screen and the pleasure of discussing it afterward. This experience is something the Moroccan film industry is eager to foster to ensure the longevity of cinema. Ali Hajji, the general coordinator of the Marrakech International Film Festival, shared with Euronews Culture: "The festival’s selection committee organizes tours of schools and universities in Marrakech, Rabat, and Casablanca. We also host screenings tailored for young audiences, featuring films suitable for children and teenagers, from four-year-olds to 18-year-olds."
He added: "We collaborate with schools and high schools, bringing in around 700 students per screening. Our audience team works tirelessly to encourage people to return to the cinema." Building a strong connection with audiences is essential for film festivals, as they play a key role in nurturing and solidifying these relationships. This exchange is also beneficial for filmmakers, who gain firsthand insights into audience reactions.
Director Walter Salles, whose latest film 'I'm Still Here' was screened at the festival, emphasized the importance of diverse voices in cinema. His film is also Brazil's entry for the Oscars. Salles told Euronews Culture: "Cinema must be polyphonic in nature. It’s about revealing parts of the world that are unknown to us. The more voices present, the more cinema fulfills its purpose of unveiling and revealing the world." This sentiment was echoed by five-time Oscar-winning director Alfonso Cuarón, who said: "The real creative process begins when audiences watch films. Filmmakers only deliver part of the experience, as every film truly comes alive in the minds and hearts of viewers."
To learn more about Morocco's efforts to promote cinema, watch the full film in the player above.
Source link: https://www.euronews.com
