Academy Award winner actress Jessica Chastain will be presiding over the jury of the 20th Marrakech International Film Festival. The festival, which is running from November 24 to December 2, has long been a hallmark celebration dedicated to the discovery of talent from around the world.
Chastain, who is succeeding Italian director Paolo Sorrentino, has been appointed as jury president and will be leading the selection of the Étoile d’Or winner from 14 films by first or second-time directors in the festival’s international competition. Often labeled as one of the great performers of contemporary Hollywood, Chastain has worked with renowned directors including Terrence Malick, Kathryn Bigelow, Christopher Nolan, and Ridley Scott. A string of prestigious awards including an Oscar are more than enough to justify her selection for this role.
“I am honored to serve as the jury president for the esteemed Marrakech International Film Festival, marking its 20th edition this year, and am excited to return to the Festival having last attended in 2011,” she said in a statement. “Being entrusted with this role is a privilege and I look forward to celebrating incredible global talent within the world of cinema.”
As previously announced, Chastain is not the only coveted name from Hollywood in attendance at the festival. Veteran director Martin Scorcese returns this year in quite an important capacity – patron of the Atlas Workshops. Launched in 2018, the Atlas Workshops is an industry talent development program dedicated to rising talent from the African continent and the Arab world. Young filmmakers from across the region will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn from Scorcese himself.
Read Next: El Gouna Film Festival Returns to Egypt After One Year Hiatus
