The 23rd Marrakech International Film Festival has unveiled its “In Conversation with” program for 2026, featuring a lineup of 11 high-profile speakers that bridges the gap between Hollywood veterans and acclaimed international auteurs. Scheduled to run from November 20 to November 28, the festival will host intimate discussions with directors Rian Johnson, Luca Guadagnino, and James Gray, alongside actors Jeff Goldblum and Monica Bellucci.
The “In Conversation” series serves as a centerpiece for the festival, allowing audiences to engage directly with influential figures in global cinema. This year’s expanded roster includes:
- Jeff Goldblum (Actor, USA)
- John Turturro (Actor/Director, USA)
- Rian Johnson (Director, USA)
- Monica Bellucci (Actor, Italy)
- Luca Guadagnino (Director, Italy)
- James Gray (Director, USA)
- Xavier Dolan (Director/Actor, Canada)
- Cristian Mungiu (Director, Romania)
- Gilles Lellouche (Actor/Director, France)
- Arthur Harari (Director/Screenwriter, France)
- Laïla Marrakchi (Director, Morocco)
Career Tributes and Notable Screenings
Beyond the conversation series, the festival will honor three industry veterans with career tributes. Jeff Goldblum and John Turturro are set to receive the honors alongside Moroccan actor and musician Younès Mégri.
The programming also links several speakers to major screenings. John Turturro is scheduled to present The Only Living Pickpocket In New York during a gala screening. Luca Guadagnino will present his latest project, Artificial, a film that explores the rise of OpenAI’s Sam Altman. Additionally, Moroccan director Laïla Marrakchi will showcase her film La Más Dulce.
Opening Night and Festival Leadership
The 2026 edition is set to open with the Jesse Eisenberg-directed comedy Mona, starring Julianne Moore. This selection marks a shift from earlier industry speculation regarding the opening slot.
French actress Marion Cotillard will serve as the Jury President for this 23rd edition, overseeing the competition. According to official festival reporting, the event will feature a total of 76 films representing 39 different countries, emphasizing its role as a cross-cultural hub for African and international cinema.
In addition to the celebrity-focused events, the festival continues its support for regional talent through the 9th Atlas Workshops. This year, Brazilian director Kleber Mendonça Filho will serve as the patron of the workshops, which focus on supporting filmmakers from the African continent and the Arab world during the development and post-production phases of their projects.