Jemaa el-Fna Square hosts film festival from 20 November
Published on 11/14/2026 at 08:48 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael MĂĽller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSCinema and heritage in Marrakesh
- The Marrakech International Film Festival runs from 20 to 28 November 2026 under the Foundation’s organisation.
- Open-air film screenings connect the festival programme with Jemaa el-Fna Square in Marrakesh.
- UNESCO placed the square on its Representative List in 2008 after its original proclamation in 2001.
Jemaa el-Fna Square and the Marrakech International Film Festival will share a public cultural programme in Marrakesh from 20 to 28 November 2026. The festival’s 23rd edition brings cinema to several venues in Morocco, including open-air screenings at the historic square.
Marrakech International Film Festival reaches Jemaa el-Fna
The festival is organised by the Foundation of the Marrakech International Film Festival. Its official programme describes a selection of films from different genres and national cinemas, with screenings for young audiences and families, gala presentations, special screenings, a Moroccan Panorama and outdoor films at the square. The festival’s venue information places the outdoor programme within the wider event.
The official selection contains 76 films from 39 countries. Ten films are scheduled for world premieres, while 12 were supported by the Atlas Workshops, the festival’s industry and talent-development programme. Eleven films are described as national submissions in the race for the Academy Awards. The programme therefore gives the square a direct role in a festival that also serves professional and industry audiences.
Why the square matters to the festival programme
UNESCO describes the square as one of the main cultural spaces in Marrakesh and places it at the entrance to the Medina. The triangular public space is surrounded by restaurants, stands and public buildings, while its everyday life includes commerce, storytelling, music, religious expression and other performances.
The cultural space was originally proclaimed in 2001 and inscribed in 2008 on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. That status concerns living practices rather than a single building. Bringing open-air cinema into this setting links the festival’s film programme with a place whose cultural identity is expressed through public performance and exchange. UNESCO’s heritage record for the square also notes its protection as part of Morocco’s artistic heritage since 1922.
Visiting Jemaa el-Fna Square: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- The Marrakech International Film Festival runs from 20 to 28 November 2026, with the festival’s outdoor screenings listed for Jemaa el-Fna Square.
- The square is used as an open-air cinema within the wider festival programme, while other screenings take place at venues including the Palais des Congrès, Cinéma Le Colisée and the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech.
- Jemaa el-Fna Square stands at the entrance to the Medina in Marrakesh, making the Medina the relevant arrival point for visitors seeking the outdoor programme.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
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Frequently asked questions about Jemaa el-Fna Square
When does the Marrakech International Film Festival take place at Jemaa el-Fna Square?
The 23rd edition runs from 20 to 28 November 2026, with outdoor screenings included in the festival programme.
What is Jemaa el-Fna Square?
It is a triangular cultural space at the entrance to the Medina in Marrakesh, known for public performances, commerce and cultural exchange.
When did UNESCO recognise Jemaa el-Fna Square?
The cultural space was originally proclaimed in 2001 and entered UNESCO’s Representative List in 2008.
