Marrakech Film Festival

The 23rd Marrakech International Film Festival runs in Marrakech, Morocco, from 20 to 28 November 2026. The organizer’s current edition page (opens in a new tab) confirms those dates; Morocco’s Centre Cinématographique Marocain (opens in a new tab) lists the same period. The programme includes an international feature-film competition, special screenings, tributes and conversations, alongside open-air screenings at Place Jemaa el-Fna. The official accreditation page (opens in a new tab) says public registration opens on 26 October. Check the live programme and access details before arranging a trip around a particular film.

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A festival with several ways to watch

The Marrakech International Film Festival was created in 2001 to promote cinema and the film industry in Morocco. Its official competition focuses on first and second feature films, while the wider selection brings together films from different countries and genres. The festival profile also lists Galas, Special Screenings, 11th Continent, a Panorama of Moroccan Cinema and Cinema for Young Audiences. The 11th Continent is described as a home for bold, innovative films.

The same profile describes open-air screenings at Place Jemaa el-Fna. A film in the square has a different setting from a cinema seat, so check each session’s details rather than assuming every title is shown outdoors. Tributes and the In Conversation With programme add discussions and appearances to the screening schedule. The organizer posts current programme information on its website; use that page for times, film details and venue changes.

There is also an industry programme. The festival launched the Atlas Workshops in 2018 to support a new generation of Moroccan, Arab and African filmmakers and encourage exchange between regional talent and international professionals. The workshops are aimed at film projects and industry development. Visitors travelling for professional meetings should check the current workshop calls and accreditation route separately from the public screening information.

Dates, registration and programme updates

The confirmed festival dates are 20–28 November 2026. The organizer’s registration page separates Public and Cinema Professionals categories and lists 26 October as the opening date for those registrations. Its main heading identifies the 23rd edition and the 2026 dates, although one explanatory paragraph still refers to the 22nd edition. Recheck the live form when registration opens and rely on its current conditions for eligibility and access.

The page does not give a clear current pass price in the visible registration details. Avoid relying on old ticket descriptions or unofficial resale listings. Check whether the session you want requires a reservation or a particular pass, and keep an eye on the organizer’s programme for any schedule changes. If the detailed venue map is not available when you book accommodation, a flexible reservation leaves room to adjust your plans.

Choose a place to stay after checking venues

Place Jemaa el-Fna is one of the festival’s open-air screening locations, and it sits beside Marrakech’s historic medina. Morocco’s National Tourist Office describes the square as a gathering place for storytellers, singers, Gnawa musicians and food stalls. Those city activities make the area rewarding to explore, but they do not guarantee that a particular festival screening or performance will happen there. Use the official programme to distinguish festival events from the square’s regular life.

The medina has narrow, car-free streets. If you choose a riad or guesthouse inside it, ask where a taxi can drop you and how far you will need to walk with luggage. For a festival trip, compare accommodation against the confirmed screening venues rather than choosing solely for proximity to the square. Marrakech has several neighbourhoods and the programme may use more than one screening site.

Getting to Marrakech and moving around

Marrakech Menara Airport is the city’s main air gateway. The airport operator’s Marrakech Menara page (opens in a new tab) provides flight information and lists taxi, bus and car-rental services. Check live arrivals and departures close to travel, then use current airport information to choose a transfer. Leave time between arrival and a screening, especially if your trip includes a connection or you need to collect a pass first.

For travel from another Moroccan city, the National Tourist Office outlines rail, coach and local transport options on its transport page (opens in a new tab). Consult the relevant operator for current departure times and tickets. Inside Marrakech, taxis and buses can help cover longer distances, while the old medina is best navigated on foot. Pin the venue location from the festival’s current schedule before setting off; a city address may not identify the closest medina entrance or taxi drop-off point.

Entry documents and final checks

Morocco’s entry rules depend on nationality. The National Tourist Office’s formalities page (opens in a new tab) directs travellers to the Access Maroc portal for e-Visa or electronic travel authorization applications where applicable. Confirm the requirements for your passport with the Moroccan authorities before booking, and check that your travel insurance covers the trip.

Travel advice can change. Review the latest guidance from your own foreign ministry before departure; the UK government’s Morocco travel advice (opens in a new tab) is one current official reference. Save the festival accreditation page, airport information and your accommodation details offline in case you need them while moving around the city.

Quick answers

When is the Marrakech International Film Festival in 2026?

The 23rd edition is scheduled for 20–28 November 2026 in Marrakech, Morocco. The organizer confirms the dates on its current festival page.

Can the public attend?

The official accreditation page lists a Public category and says public registration opens on 26 October. Check the current form for access conditions and the rules for individual screenings.

Where are the screenings?

The festival profile includes open-air screenings at Place Jemaa el-Fna, as well as several cinema programme sections. Check the current schedule for the exact venue of each film or conversation.

What should visitors check before booking?

Confirm registration details, the screening schedule and venue map, then match accommodation and airport transfers to those locations. Visa or electronic travel authorization requirements depend on nationality, so check Morocco’s official formalities information before departure.

For another African festival with a strong film programme, see our Festival of the Dhow Countries guide.