Marrakech: The 21st edition of the Marrakech International Film Festival is currently underway in Morocco, showcasing an impressive lineup of over 71 films from 32 countries. Running until December 7, the festival features 14 debut or second feature films vying for the coveted "Golden Star" prize in the official competition. Among these entries are several films supported by the Doha Film Institute, including "Sudan, Remember Us" by Hend Meddeb, "Perfumed with Mint" by Mohamed Hamdi, "MA Cry of Silence" by The Maw Naing, and "Happy Holidays" by Scandar Copti. According to Qatar News Agency, other notable films in the competition include "Wolves Always Will Come at Night" by Gabriel Brady, "Across the Sea (La mer au loin)" by Said Hamich Benlarbi, "One of Those Days When Hemme Dies" by Murat F?ratoglu, and "The Hut" by Silvina Schiniser, among others. The festival offers a rich tapestry of cinematic storytelling, with entries from diverse backgrounds and a variety of genres. Besides the official competition , the festival is presenting films in different categories such as "Celebratory Screenings," "Special Screenings," "The 11th Continent," "Panorama of Moroccan Cinema," and "Cinema for Young Audiences and Families." This extensive selection provides audiences with a wide array of cinematic experiences from across the globe, highlighting the festival's commitment to promoting diverse voices in film. The festival commenced with a grand opening at the Palais des Congres in Marrakech, featuring a screening of "The Order," a police thriller directed by Australian filmmaker Justin Kurzel. The opening ceremony was graced by notable figures from both the Moroccan and international film industries, setting a celebratory tone for the festival's proceedings. Presiding over the festival jury is Italian director Luca Guadagnino, joined by an esteemed panel including Iranian director Ali Abbasi, Indian filmmaker Zoya Akhtar, American actress Patricia Arquette, Belgian actress Virginie Efira, Australian actor Jacob Elordi, British-American actor Andrew Garfield, Moroccan actress Nadia Kinda, and Argentine director Santiago Mitri. This year's festival also pays tribute to the late Moroccan actress Naima Machreqi, along with honoring Oscar-winning actor Sean Penn and Canadian director David Cronenberg for their contributions to the film industry.