The French distributor pleaded for me to come.
Its a long away… she said, You better come… the festival will change you.
I did… and just the city, its really quite magical.
Marrakech 2024 jury: Virginie Efira, Ali Abbasi, Patricia Arquette, Santiago Mitre, Luca Guadagnino, Nadia Kounda, Andrew Garfield, Zoya Akhtar, Jacob ElordiGetty Images
He is a regular visitor to the MENA region, scouting for talent and financing opportunities.
We like to watch new movies locally and pick up new voices, new trends.
Its an exciting part of the world.
Tim Burtonand Monica BellucciGetty Images
Theres so much optimism and ambition here.
People become friends of the festival.
Its a real festival, nobodys paid here.
I arrived on a direct flight from Rome in the middle night…
I was completely carried away by Marrakech and immediately reconnected with my deep roots.
My Algerian mother grew up in Casablanca… Im half Moroccan, he said to applause in theatre.
