The Marrakech Film Festival 2026 takes place from November 20 to 28, bringing nine days of international cinema to Morocco’s Red City. Officially called the Marrakech International Film Festival, its 23rd edition welcomes film enthusiasts as well as industry professionals. Visitors do not need to be filmmakers to apply for access: the festival offers a free public e-pass for eligible screenings and conversations.
Public registration is scheduled to open on October 26, 2026, for applicants over 18. The full 2026 timetable has not yet been released. This guide explains how to apply, what is known about venues and how to plan without relying on unannounced films.
Marrakech Film Festival 2026: Dates and Key Details
| Detail | 2026 Information |
|---|---|
| Dates | November 20–28, 2026 (Friday–Saturday) |
| Edition | 23rd Marrakech International Film Festival |
| City | Marrakech, Morocco |
| Public screening access | Free e-pass application; admission subject to event rules and capacity |
| Registration | Scheduled to open October 26, 2026 |
| Age requirement | Over 18 for the standard public e-pass |
| 2026 film schedule | Not yet published as of October 23, 2026 |
Marion Cotillard is the announced 2026 jury president. Her appointment does not confirm a public appearance; check the final programme before planning around any particular guest.
Are Marrakech Film Festival Screenings Free?
Yes. The festival’s official accreditation portal says eligible public visitors can obtain a free e-pass to attend films and cinema conversations. The pass is intended for residents and visitors alike, including people traveling through Marrakech during the festival.
Free does not mean unrestricted entry. Applications require validation, venues have limited capacity, and some ceremonies or industry activities follow separate rules. An e-pass does not guarantee a seat at a popular screening.
There is no published fee for the standard public e-pass. Avoid buying unofficial tickets from third parties.
How to Register for the Free Public E-Pass
The official portal schedules public registration for October 26. It is separate from press accreditation. Once your application is validated, organizers email an e-pass and a code for the Marrakech Festival app.
- From October 26 onward, open the accreditation section of the festival’s official website and choose the public visitor category.
- Complete the requested personal and identification details accurately. The public registration form may also request a photograph.
- Submit the application and check your email, including spam folders, for the validation response.
- If approved, keep the e-pass and the festival app access instructions available on your phone.
- Read the entry requirements for each screening or conversation once the 2026 programme appears, and plan for possible queues.
The standard e-pass requires applicants to be over 18. Visitors who need special access arrangements, or who are attending with younger family members, should contact the festival directly rather than assuming an exception. The organizers also specify appropriate dress and respectful conduct as conditions of attendance.
Which Films Will Screen at the 2026 Festival?
As of October 23, 2026, the festival’s official programme page states that the 23rd-edition schedule is coming soon. Its 2026 film regulations indicate that the official selection should be announced in early November, with screening dates, times and locations communicated to participating filmmakers during the week of November 9.
Some pages on the festival website still show film titles and dates from November and December 2025. Those entries belong to the 22nd edition. They should not be copied into a 2026 itinerary or presented as newly announced screenings.
Competition, Gala Screenings and Other Sections
The festival’s established programming includes an international competition emphasizing emerging filmmakers, gala presentations, films from the wider festival circuit, Moroccan cinema and retrospective or tribute screenings. These are useful categories to understand when choosing films, but the individual titles for 2026 must come from the new official selection.
The competition may suit viewers seeking discoveries, while gala and tribute sections offer other choices. Check each listing for introductions or conversations; not every screening includes one.
Conversations and Professional Events
The public e-pass allows access to eligible cinema conversations, subject to event rules. The Atlas Workshops, scheduled for November 22–26, 2026, are a separate professional-development programme; do not assume their industry sessions are open to public pass holders.
Where Are Marrakech Film Festival Screenings Held?
The Palais des Congrès in Hivernage is referenced in the 2026 access guidance, specifically its Hall of Ministers (Salle des Ministres). Earlier editions also used Cinéma le Colisée and Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech. Their 2026 screening assignments remain unconfirmed.
| Venue | What Visitors Should Know |
|---|---|
| Palais des Congrès | Referenced in the 2026 access guidance; verify the hall and entrance for your selected screening. |
| Cinéma le Colisée | Used for earlier festival editions; wait for the 2026 schedule before planning around it. |
| Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech | A previous festival screening venue; its 2026 screening assignments have not been confirmed. |
Do not assume there will be a free open-air screening in Jemaa el-Fna in 2026. No such 2026 programme has been confirmed by the festival at the time of writing.
Will Films Have English Subtitles?
The official public accreditation guidance says films presented in the Palais des Congrès Hall of Ministers are subtitled in Arabic, English and French, except where the individual session or film listing states otherwise. The festival’s 2026 film regulations also allow subtitling to vary by programming section.
At other venues, check each screening’s languages and subtitles. Films may be shown in their original language rather than dubbed, so verify before choosing sessions.
Where to Stay and How to Get Around
Hivernage is a practical area to consider if you expect to spend substantial time at the Palais des Congrès. Guéliz offers another city base, while the medina appeals to visitors who want to combine films with historic streets, markets and traditional accommodation. Use the Marrakech destination guide to compare what the city offers beyond the screenings.
Marrakech Menara Airport serves the city, and railway connections link Marrakech with other major Moroccan destinations. If you prefer a prearranged arrival, compare airport and city transfer options; these are independent travel services, not official festival shuttles.
Check journeys to your priority venues before booking accommodation. Allow extra time for security, queues and traffic, particularly between screenings at different locations.
Combining Screenings With Marrakech Sightseeing
For a first visit, the Marrakech travel guide for first-time visitors helps organize a short stay without filling every hour. If your screening starts later in the day, you could book a separate medina and Jemaa el-Fna walking tour or explore independently.
When you have an evening free from screenings, the Jemaa el-Fna visitor guide explains how the central square changes after sunset. Another option is a guided walk through the Marrakech souks, which should be scheduled separately from festival sessions.
If you have a full free morning, consult the Majorelle Garden visitor guide or choose a Bahia Palace and Saadian Tombs experience. These attractions and activities are not connected to festival admission. Reserve only what fits around the confirmed screening programme.
Practical Tips for Attending in November
- Apply for the public e-pass through the official channel rather than relying on resale claims or unofficial offers.
- Do not arrange a trip around 2025 films still visible on older festival pages.
- Check the final schedule, screening language, venue and access rules before each day.
- Bring the identification required by your registration and keep the e-pass accessible.
- Allow time for queues and security; seating availability may be limited.
- Pack a layer for cool November evenings and check the weather before leaving your hotel.
- Avoid assuming the red carpet, private receptions or professional workshops are included with public accreditation.
FAQ
When is the Marrakech Film Festival 2026?
The confirmed dates are November 20–28, 2026. This is the 23rd edition of the Marrakech International Film Festival.
Are Marrakech Film Festival screenings free?
Eligible public visitors can apply for a free e-pass to attend films and cinema conversations. Entry is subject to the festival’s access conditions and available space; not every festival activity is necessarily open to the general public.
When can visitors register for the 2026 e-pass?
The official accreditation portal says public registration will open on October 26, 2026. After approval, applicants receive an e-pass and a code for the festival app by email.
Can tourists attend the film festival?
Yes. The public e-pass route is available to eligible visitors passing through Marrakech as well as local residents. You do not need to be a film industry professional to apply.
Can children attend with an adult’s public pass?
Do not assume they can. The standard public e-pass is restricted to applicants over 18. Ask the festival directly about any special arrangements for younger attendees.
Will the 2026 films have English subtitles?
Films in the Palais des Congrès Hall of Ministers are generally presented with Arabic, English and French subtitles unless a specific listing says otherwise. Other sections or venues may differ, so confirm the language details for each chosen film.
Plan Your Festival Days Around Confirmed Screenings
The Marrakech Film Festival 2026 offers international cinema alongside a visit to the Red City. Dates and public registration arrangements are confirmed; the film-by-film schedule is pending. Apply through the official channel and keep your itinerary flexible.
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