Marrakech International Film Festival: Your Complete 2026 Guide

Every November, Marrakech transforms in a particular way. The medina's souks hang with extra lanterns, the grand squares fill with outdoor screens and for nine days the city becomes one of the Arab world's most important film destinations. The Marrakech International Film Festival (FIFM — Festival International du Film de Marrakech) brings together filmmakers, critics and cinephiles from across Africa, the Arab world and beyond for a programme that mixes international competition with a genuine celebration of world cinema. The 23rd edition runs from 20 to 28 November 2026, with Bong Joon-ho — the South Korean director best known for Parasite — as the president of the jury. For travellers in Marrakech in late November, the festival adds a layer of spectacle and atmosphere to an already remarkable city. For film lovers, it is worth building a whole trip around.

#At a Glance

| | | |---|---| | Edition | 23rd (2026) | | Dates | 20–28 November 2026 | | Jury President | Bong Joon-ho (South Korean director; Parasite, 2019) | | Free screenings | Open-air on and near Jemaa el-Fnaa, most evenings | | Ticketed screenings | Indoor competition and gala screenings; roughly 40 MAD (confirm on marrakech-festival.com) | | Main venue | Palais des Congrès, plus historic riad and palace venues | | Best base | Riad in the medina, walking distance from Jemaa el-Fnaa | | Airport | Marrakech Menara (RAK), roughly 5–10 minutes by taxi |

#What Is the Marrakech International Film Festival?

Founded in 2001 and held under the patronage of HM King Mohammed VI, the FIFM has grown into one of Africa's most respected film events — and one of a small number of internationally recognised film festivals on the continent. Over its history it has hosted Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, David Fincher, Cate Blanchett, Isabelle Huppert and many other major figures from world cinema. It is not primarily a Moroccan affair: entries come from across the globe, with particular emphasis on cinema from Africa, Asia and the Arab world.

The programme typically includes:

• A Main Competition of roughly 10–14 international feature films competing for the Golden Star (Étoile d'Or)
• Special screenings and retrospectives honouring significant directors
• A Moroccan cinema section presenting local work to international audiences
• Free open-air screenings on Jemaa el-Fnaa and nearby spaces each evening

The full programme for 2026 is expected to be published on the official site — marrakech-festival.com — approximately four to six weeks before opening night. Once released, competition entries and retrospective picks tend to generate considerable attention and indoor tickets sell quickly.

#The Open-Air Screenings: Free Cinema on Jemaa el-Fnaa

The most accessible part of the festival for travellers is also its most extraordinary: open-air screenings on and around Jemaa el-Fnaa, Marrakech's great central square. As the sun sets and the square fills with its usual cast of storytellers, acrobats, snake-charmers and orange-juice carts, a large screen transforms one section into an open-air cinema. The screenings are typically free, open to anyone and require no ticket.

Arrive early for a decent viewing spot — by the time a main feature begins, the square and its surrounding lanes draw large, enthusiastic crowds. The atmosphere is unlike any cinema you will find elsewhere: the call to prayer echoing from the Koutoubia, the smell of grilling meat drifting over, the medina all around in the warm November dark. Our Jemaa el-Fnaa guide describes the square's nightly character in full; the festival amplifies it to an almost surreal degree.

#Ticketed Screenings and the Competition

Indoor competition screenings take place primarily at the Palais des Congrès and, for select gala events, in the city's historic palaces. Tickets for indoor screenings have been priced at roughly 40 MAD in recent editions (confirm current pricing on marrakech-festival.com — policies and prices change from year to year). These are the films competing for the Golden Star, and the quality is reliably high: the jury under Bong Joon-ho's presidency will almost certainly deliver a selection that rewards attention.

For tribute screenings and special events, tickets go especially quickly once the programme is released. The practical advice is to check the site as soon as the programme drops and buy within the first day or two for any screening you have a particular interest in.

#The City During Festival Week

Even if you attend no screenings at all, Marrakech in festival week carries a particular charge. The city's palaces, riads and rooftop restaurants fill with an international crowd; dinners stretch late into the evening; and the medina's usual blend of beauty and theatre takes on an additional, almost cinematic quality. The festival does not stay contained within its venues — it spills into the streets, the galleries, the conversations at café tables.

For the best base, a riad within the medina puts you walking distance from Jemaa el-Fnaa and the main festival cluster. Our best riads in Marrakech and where to stay in Marrakech guides cover options at every level. Book accommodation early: late November marks the beginning of Marrakech's high season, and the festival concentrates demand — prices are higher than the shoulder months and availability tightens several weeks in advance.

#November in Marrakech: Weather and the Season

Late November is one of the genuinely pleasant times to visit Marrakech. Daytime temperatures are typically in the range of 18–22°C, with evenings cooling to around 10–14°C — comfortable for outdoor events as long as you bring a layer or a light jacket. Rain is more likely than in summer but still not common in the city, and the light in November is clear and warm. The medina is busy but not overwhelmingly crowded. For the wider picture on timing, see our best time to visit Marrakech and Morocco in November guides.

Dress practically for the open-air screenings: the Atlas wind can pick up after 9pm and the square cools faster than you expect. Layers — a scarf, a light fleece — are worth packing.

#Planning Your Stay Around the Festival

A three to four-day visit structured around the festival works well:

• Day 1: Arrive and check in; explore the medina late afternoon; catch the first evening open-air screening on Jemaa el-Fnaa
• Day 2: Morning in the souks and palace circuit; afternoon at leisure; book a table at one of the city's rooftop restaurants for dinner before an indoor screening
• Day 3: Gardens and hammam morning; afternoon in the medina; evening open-air film under the stars
• Day 4: Food tour or medina exploration; last screening before departing

For a tighter programme, our 3-day Marrakech itinerary shows how to structure the city's main sites efficiently. For a longer Morocco trip, the festival makes an excellent anchor: Marrakech in late November followed by the Sahara or the Atlas before the deeper cold sets in.

#Practical Tips

• Book accommodation 8–10 weeks ahead — festival week fills faster than any other period in the Marrakech calendar; popular riads and boutique hotels sell out quickly
• Check marrakech-festival.com for the official programme; it typically drops 4–6 weeks before opening night
• Arrive on Jemaa el-Fnaa by around 7:30–8pm for the free open-air screenings — start times vary and the best spots go early
• Films screen in original language, typically with French subtitles and sometimes English; check the programme listing per screening before attending
• Press and industry accreditation is via the official festival site; the process opens several months before the event

#FAQ

When is the Marrakech International Film Festival 2026? The 23rd edition runs from 20 to 28 November 2026. The festival typically occupies a similar late-November window each year — confirm precise dates on marrakech-festival.com.

Is the Marrakech film festival free? The open-air screenings on and near Jemaa el-Fnaa are typically free and open to the public. Indoor competition and gala screenings are ticketed — roughly 40 MAD in recent years; confirm current pricing on the official website.

Who is the 2026 jury president? Bong Joon-ho, the South Korean filmmaker who won the Palme d'Or at Cannes and four Academy Awards for Parasite (2019), including Best Picture and Best Director.

Do I need to book tickets in advance? For the free open-air screenings, no. For indoor competition screenings and tribute events, yes — buy as soon as the programme is released, particularly for gala nights and retrospectives. Popular screenings sell out within a day or two of tickets going on sale.

Is Marrakech worth visiting in November? Very much so. Temperatures are comfortable (typically 18–22°C by day), crowds are lighter than peak summer and the film festival adds a cultural layer unlike any other time of year. See our Morocco in November guide for the full picture.

What else is there to do in Marrakech during the festival? The city's full programme — medina, palaces, gardens, souks, hammams, food scene — operates as normal around the festival. Our Marrakech medina guide covers the essential sites, and our Marrakech tours page offers private guided options that can be shaped around the festival schedule.

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Visiting Marrakech for the film festival? Our private Marrakech tours team can build your stay around the programme — guided mornings, riad recommendations and evening reservations that fit the festival timetable.