Marrakech, Morocco – The prestigious Marrakech International Film Festival concluded its latest session with the Palestinian drama “Happy Holidays” clinching its highest accolade, the Etoile D’Or award. This notable win, announced on Friday, marks the first time a Palestinian film has garnered this top honor at the festival. Directed by Scandar Copti, the film portrays a nuanced narrative set in Haifa, Israel, where characters from Israeli and Palestinian backgrounds grapple with personal and societal complexities.
“Happy Holidays,” which won a screenplay award earlier at the Venice Film Festival, benefits from the authentic performances of both professional and amateur actors, enriching the portrayal of its sensitive subject matter. In the light of ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, Mona Copti, during her acceptance speech, expressed a bittersweet sentiment over the win, voicing concerns about the persistent dehumanization of Palestinians.
This year’s competition drew a selection of eight feature films, all being either the first or second works of their directors, highlighting the festival’s role in promoting emerging filmmaking talent. According to Remi Bonhomme, the artistic director of the festival, this year’s entries predominantly explored social issues through familial narratives, indicating a thematic trend among new filmmakers.
Additional accolades were bestowed during the event. The jury prize was shared between two films; “The Village Next to Paradise” from Somalia and “The Cottage” from Argentina. Mo Harawe’s film delves into a family’s life under drone threats in Somalia, whereas Silvina Schnicer’s narrative recounts a grim episode involving children at a vacation home in Argentina.
Harawe, in his acceptance remarks, emphasized the value of the award for Somali cinema, appreciating the efforts of the cast and crew that brought the story to life. He also referenced the film’s development at last year’s Atlas Workshops, which aims to support filmmakers from Morocco, the Middle East, and Africa.
Cecilia Rainero, who stars in “The Cottage,” expressed gratitude for the recognition amid a challenging backdrop of potential funding cuts to the arts in Argentina under President Javier Milei’s administration. This gesture underscored the broader implications of national policies on cultural production.
This year’s festival not only celebrated new voices in the global cinematic landscape but also reflected the ongoing struggles and stories from regions marked by conflict and transition. It reinforced the power of film as a medium to convey complex human realities, foster empathy, and bring global issues into focus through compelling storytelling.
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