2nd Marrakesh cinema festival slated for next September

The 2nd Marrakesh international film Festival will be held from September 18-22, said French film critic Daniel Toscan Du Plantier, who chaired the 1st edition's executive committee.

The event now has a special foundation set up by King Mohammed VI and chaired by Prince Moulay Rachid.

Beyond its substantial economic and tourism impact, the 1st festival was a complete success as it set up a platform for encounters, exchanges and dialogue between the motion picture fans and professionals.

The 1st festival, held last September in the morrow of attacks against the USA, was hailed by all participants and by the international media as a response to terrorism, a symbol of peace, coexistence of various cultures and tolerance.

Chairwoman of the festival jury, British actress Charlotte Rampling said her desire to be in Morocco had grown stronger after the attacks. She stressed the need to maintain ties and especially to oppose the amalgam "Muslim equals terrorist."

French actor, Claude lelouch who presented his latest movie "And Now Ladies and Gentlemen" which was shot in Morocco, said "nightmare has declared war on dream, we are in Marrakesh to declare war on nightmare."

Morocco ambitions to create an event meeting the same requirements and rigor as outstanding world festivals like those of Cannes, Venice, or Berlin.