Plus Polish director Damian Kocur won the Best Directing Prize for his Ukrainian story ‘Under the Volcano’.
Read MoreThe Doha Ajyal Diaries: Women filmmakers sweep awards at this year's DFI Ajyal Film Festival
And, while watching films during this wondrous festival, I witnessed a second miracle in the making.
Read MoreThe Doha Ajyal Diaries: Opening night with a twist and the joy of unorthodox film choices
A documentary about the students’ movement in Sudan opened this year’s DFI Ajyal film festival. And the unusual, yet super welcomed refreshing choices didn’t stop there.
Read MoreTodd Haynes, Alfonso Cuarón and Ava DuVernay among those participation in Marrakech Film Fest Conversations
The list of cinema personalities encountering the public at this year’s festival in Morocco also includes Sean Penn and David Cronenberg, in Marrakech to receive their honorary awards, as well as persecuted Iranian helmer Mohammad Rasoulof, Mauritanian filmmaker Abderrahmane Sissako and US director-slash-artist extraordinaire Tim Burton.
Read MoreMarrakech Film Fest announced Luca Guadagnino as new Jury President and unveils 2024 official selection
On the occasion of its 21st edition, which takes place from November 29th to December 7th, 2024, the Marrakech International Film Festival will present 70 films selected from 32 countries in its various sections: the Official Competition, Gala Screenings, Special Screenings, the 11th Continent, the Moroccan Panorama, Cinema for Young Audiences & Families, and films shown as part of the Tributes program.
Read MoreAjyal 2024: Festival will kick off with 'Sudan, Remember Us' and will present a focus on Voices from Palestine
With the theme of the 2024 edition of Ajyal Film Festival presented by the Doha Film Institute announced as ‘Moments That Matter’, the event will also see the participation of Palestinian stars Hiam Abbas, Saleh and Mohammad Bakri, along with beloved Egyptian actor Khaled El Nabawy, Turkish TV star Esra Bilgic and Sudanese musician Mustafa the Poet.
Read MoreMarrakech IFF to pay tributes to Sean Penn, late thespian Naïma Elmcherqui and David Cronenberg
Ever since its first edition, the Marrakech International Film Festival has been paying homage to the most notable names in cinema. For its 21st edition, it will honor three great artists whose contributions and influence have had a significant impact on cinema for several decades.
Read MoreUS filmmaker Jeff Nichols named patron of 2024 Atlas Workshops in Marrakech
Plus, the latest projects by favorite filmmakers Lina Soualem, Murad Abu Eisheh, Cherien Dabis and Tala Hadid will be featured in this year’s prestigious sessions with selected projects in development and post-production from Morocco, Africa and the Arab world.
Read MoreFilm Africa 2024 is coming to London to celebrate the best of cinema from the continent
The festival, presented by The Royal African Society, will run from 25 October to 3 November during the UK’s celebration of Black History Month and will showcase the best of African cinema in Europe.
Read More'Maria': the power of great women's stories told by extraordinary men & why I needed to watch the film again
Turns out once was not enough for the cinematic tale of Maria Callas’ last week, as told by Chilean auteur Pablo Larraín and interpreted with courage and beauty by Hollywood icon Angelina Jolie.
Read MoreHighlights from the Golden Globes party the BFI London Film Festival
And other get-togethers across town.
Read MoreThe upcoming London Rolling Film Fest announces "Yes She Cannes" partnership and pitch clinic finalists
The 14th edition of the London Rolling Film Festival will take place at VUE Piccadilly London on Friday 27th and Saturday 28th September.
Read MoreBFI London Film Festival announces full line up for upcoming 68th edition
And the numerous titles include the latest titles from Luca Guadagnino, Pablo Larraín, Mati Diop, Kevin Macdonald, Sam Mendes and Leos Carax — along with allowing the UK public to discover visionary up and coming filmmakers like Laila Abbas, Meryam Joobeur, Mo Harawe and Shiori Ito.
Read MoreBFI London Film Festival announces Competition line up for upcoming edition
And the titles include ‘The Extraordinary Miss Flower’ by Iain Forsyth & Jane Pollard, ‘On Becoming a Guinea Fowl’ by Rungano Nyoni and Georgian film ‘April’, produced by Luca Guadagnino.
Read MoreControversy brewing at this year's Venice Film Festival over lack of press access
Granted, it wouldn’t be a film festival if some sort of polemic didn’t arise and this year’s 81st Venice International Film Festival will probably go down in history as the beginning of the end for independent film journalism. Here’s why.
Read MoreMalaysian Tan Chui Mui and Argentinian Laura Citarella are 2024 Miu Miu Women's Tales directors
A yearly appointment at the Venice Film Festival, fashion brand Miu Miu, also a Creative Partner of Giornate degli Autori, has once again sponsored two women filmmakers in the creation of a short film each, about women and their world; the shorts will screened during the upcoming festival, with their directors and casts in attendance.
Read MoreVenice Film Festival announces Orizzonti and Debut Film juries
And they include one of my all-time favorite filmmakers, Soudade Kaadan, along with American director and screenwriter Debra Granik, and Canadian actress Taylor Russell.
Read MoreThe Official 2024 Venice Immersive Selection and Competition revealed
And it includes 63 projects from 25 countries.
Read MoreVenice Film Festival Competition jury will include Andrew Haigh and Abderrahmane Sissako along with president Isabelle Huppert
Other members of the esteemed Venezia 81 jury include James Gray, Agnieszka Holland, Kleber Mendonça Filho, Giuseppe Tornatore, Julia von Heinz and Zhang Ziyi.
Read MoreWorld premiere of Steve McQueen's 'Blitz' to open 68th BFI London Film Fest
Making it the perfect time to discover, or revisit, some of the Academy Award and BAFTA winning UK filmmaker’s previous work.
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