Discovering...
FIFM — Est. 2001 · Late Nov / Early Dec
Marrakech International Film Festival 2026
Red carpets in the medina, free open-air screenings on Jemaa el-Fna, and global stars against a backdrop of minarets. Everything you need to plan your visit.
Yasmine El Amrani· Marrakech & Atlas Editor
Marrakech-born travel writer who has spent the last decade walking the medina’s souks and the High Atlas trails above Imlil. She covers the Red City, Berber villages and day trips into the mountains. Marrakech · 12+ years covering Morocco
Published 5 May 2025 Last updated 20 May 2026
The Marrakech International Film Festival — known by its French acronym FIFM — is the most glamorous cultural event on Morocco's calendar, and one of the most distinctive film festivals in the world. Where else do you watch arthouse cinema projected onto a giant screen in the middle of a 1,000-year-old square while the call to prayer echoes from the Koutoubia minaret?
Founded in 2001 under the patronage of King Mohammed VI, FIFM runs for nine days, usually starting in late November. It draws a serious international jury, a main competition of around 14 films from across the globe, and a reliably impressive roster of celebrity guests who come for the tribute ceremonies. Martin Scorsese accepted a career tribute here; so did Cate Blanchett and Francis Ford Coppola. The combination of genuine cinephile credibility and a jaw-dropping location has made the festival a fixture for film lovers and culture-curious travellers alike.
Crucially, much of it is free. The Jemaa el-Fna screenings are open to anyone who shows up and finds a spot on the square. That alone makes FIFM worth timing a Marrakech trip around.
Festival at a Glance
Key facts before you start planning.
Dates (indicative)
Late November – early December 2026 (9 days)
Location
Marrakech medina & Guéliz district
Public tickets
~30–150 MAD per screening; Jemaa el-Fna free
Main prize
Golden Star (Étoile d'Or) for best film
Films in competition
~14 international features + sidebars
Attendance
Tens of thousands (mix of public & industry)
Where Films Screen: Venues Explained
FIFM uses four main spaces, each with a different access level and atmosphere.
| Venue | Role | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Palais des Congrès | Main Competition Venue | Red-carpet premieres and jury screenings; largest indoor capacity (~1,800 seats). Ticketed gala events held here. |
| Jemaa el-Fna Square | Open-Air Cinema | Free public screenings projected onto a giant screen in the heart of the medina. Atmospheric and open to everyone. |
| Cine Le Colisée | Regular Programme | Historic 1950s cinema in Guéliz showing competition and special-category films. Tickets typically 30–60 MAD (indicative). |
| Eden Andalou & other partner hotels | Industry Panels | Co-production forums and masterclasses mostly for accredited industry professionals. |
Tip: the Jemaa el-Fna open-air screening is the one experience that perfectly captures what makes FIFM unique. Arrive 30–45 minutes early to sit close to the screen; late-comers watch from further back but the atmosphere carries regardless.
How to Plan Your Visit: A Simple Timeline
FIFM rewards advance planning — medina riads book out weeks before opening night.
Months before
Watch the official FIFM website (festivalmarrakech.info) for dates and programme announcements. Expect dates in late November or early December 2026 — the festival typically runs for nine days.
6–8 weeks out
Accreditation opens for press and industry. Public ticket sales for the Palais des Congrès screenings usually open online 4–6 weeks before the festival begins.
Opening weekend
The opening ceremony on Day 1 includes the first red-carpet walk and is the busiest night for celebrity spotting. Book your riad early — the medina fills fast.
Festival week
Competition films screen daily alongside tributes, retrospectives and open-air Jemaa el-Fna sessions. Masterclasses are held most mornings.
Closing night
The jury announces the Golden Star (Étoile d’Or) and prizes. Closing galas are the most formal events; dress code is smart-to-elegant.
Practical Tips for First-Time Attendees
Book accommodation early. The medina fills fast during FIFM. Riads within walking distance of Jemaa el-Fna — the Mouassine or Derb Debachi neighbourhoods are particularly convenient — tend to be fully booked six to eight weeks out. Rates typically rise 20–40% versus a standard November week (indicative).
Dress code matters for galas. Open-air screenings on Jemaa el-Fna are casual — jeans and a jacket are fine. The Palais des Congrès galas and tribute ceremonies call for smart evening dress; some events specify black tie. Check the specific event guidance when you buy tickets.
Celebrity sightings are real but unpredictable. The highest-traffic moments are the opening red carpet and tribute evenings. The Mamounia hotel and the Hivernage neighbourhood are where most star-level guests stay; mornings at the Palais des Congrès entrance before screenings are another reliable window.
Mix festival and city. Screenings are concentrated in afternoons and evenings, which leaves mornings free. The Saadian Tombs, Ben Youssef Madrasa and the souks are all quieter before 11am. A private guided medina walk in the morning followed by an afternoon film is a genuinely satisfying way to structure a festival day.
Weather in late November. Daytime temperatures are pleasant — typically 18–22°C — but evenings can drop to 10–12°C, so a light coat is essential for the Jemaa el-Fna screenings. Rain is possible but relatively uncommon in November.
Mornings
Medina, souks & monuments
Afternoons
Competition screenings
Evenings
Red carpets & open-air cinema
Marrakech Film Festival FAQs
When is the Marrakech International Film Festival in 2026?
Exact 2026 dates had not been confirmed at the time of writing, but FIFM consistently runs for nine days in late November or very early December. The 2024 edition ran from 29 November to 7 December; the 2025 and 2026 editions are expected to follow a similar window. Check festivalmarrakech.info for the official announcement, which typically lands in September or October of the festival year.
How do I get tickets for the Marrakech Film Festival?
Public tickets for indoor screenings at the Palais des Congrès and Cine Le Colisée go on sale through the official FIFM website roughly four to six weeks before the festival opens. Prices are indicative at around 60–150 MAD per screening for public sessions; gala premieres can be higher and are sometimes invitation-only. Free open-air screenings on Jemaa el-Fna require no ticket — arrive early to claim a good spot on the square.
Which films are screened at the Marrakech Film Festival?
FIFM runs a main competition of around 14 international feature films selected by the jury (typically a mix of Moroccan, African, Arab and world-cinema directors), plus sidebar sections including tributes, a national competition, documentary programmes and the "11 Minutes" short-film category. There is also an annual tribute to a major director or actor — past recipients include Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola and Tilda Swinton. The full programme is released around four weeks before opening.
Can regular tourists attend the Marrakech Film Festival?
Yes — regular tourists are very welcome, and the open-air screenings on Jemaa el-Fna are entirely free with no registration required. Indoor screenings are publicly ticketed (see above). The festival atmosphere spills into the whole medina, with music, art installations and a noticeable energy in the city. You do not need press or industry credentials to attend most of the programme.
Where are the film screenings held during the festival?
The main venues are the Palais des Congrès (large indoor auditorium near the medina edge, used for premieres and jury screenings), Cine Le Colisée in the Guéliz district (historic cinema for competition films), and Jemaa el-Fna square itself for free open-air evenings. A handful of partner hotels host industry panels and special screenings but those tend to be restricted to accredited guests.
What celebrities typically attend the Marrakech Film Festival?
FIFM has a strong track record of attracting major names. Past editions have seen Cate Blanchett, Viggo Mortensen, Robert De Niro, Juliette Binoche, Penélope Cruz, and Ridley Scott, among others, attend tribute events or serve on the jury. Moroccan and Arab cinema stars are always present. Celebrity attendance is highest on opening night, during the tribute ceremonies and at the closing gala. Sightings are most likely around the Palais des Congrès and the high-end hotels in the Hivernage neighbourhood.
What else should I do in Marrakech during the film festival week?
The medina becomes especially atmospheric during FIFM. Use morning hours for the souks and the Bahia Palace (they are quieter before the afternoon rush), save an evening for the Jemaa el-Fna open-air screening, and consider a sunset rooftop dinner — several riad restaurants open late for the festival crowd. A private medina tour in the early morning, before the day-trip crowds arrive, is genuinely rewarding and pairs well with afternoon festival screenings.
Plan it with a local expert
Travel Morocco with Serenity Morocco Tours
Crafting extraordinary journeys through Morocco's timeless landscapes. 100% private journeys, handcrafted around you.
ONMT Licensed Travelife Sustainability Partner 100% private tours since 2018
from $2,054 7 days Imperial Cities
Essential Morocco: Imperial Cities Circuit
from $5,978 14 days All regions
Sahara to Sea: Morocco Complete