Marrakesh film festival eyes Cannes, Venice level

The Marrakesh International Film Festival (FIFM), scheduled October 3-8, aims at reaching the level of the famed cinema events of Cannes, France and Venice, Italy, organizers said.

The third edition of the FIFM ambitions to reach the excellence of its international peers, adviser to king Mohammed VI, Andre Azoulay, told a press conference on the event.

A committee chaired by artistic director, Christine Ravet, has chosen 73 movies among 800, he said, adding that the festival will this year pay homage to figures of world cinema such as Alain Delon, Ridley Scott, Oliver Stone and especially Daniel Toscan du Plantier former chairman of the FIFM deceased last February 11. The chairmanship of the 2003 edition was entrusted to his wife Melita.