Scandar Copti’s film “Pleased Holidays” has achieved significant recognition at the Marrakech Movie Competition, securing the prestigious Étoile d’Or award. This accolade was celebrated during an emotionally charged and politically impactful ceremony. The film has also garnered other notable awards, including the Best Screenplay at the Venice Orizzonti and the Best in Show at the Thessaloniki Movie Competition, showcasing its universal appeal and critical acclaim.

Moreover, “Pleased Holidays” shared the award for Best Actress between its leading stars, Manar Shehab and Wafaa Aoun, highlighting the film’s strong performances and the depth of its characters.

The film is structured into four compelling chapters, depicting the lives of an ensemble of characters—both Arab and Jewish—living in contemporary Haifa. It intricately weaves together family secrets and domestic tensions, revealing the complexities of everyday life. The narrative unfolds a broad social circle with a novelistic approach, paying close attention to cultural and interpersonal dynamics that resonate deeply with audiences.

Under the leadership of Luca Guadagnino, this year’s jury included prominent figures such as Andrew Garfield, Jacob Elordi, Virginie Efira, Patricia Arquette, Zoya Akhtar, Ali Abbasi, Nadia Kounda, and Santiago Mitre. Their unanimous decision to award “Pleased Holidays” reflects the film’s profound impact and resonance within the film community.

While accepting the award on behalf of her filmmaking partner, screenwriter Mona Copti expressed her happiness about the accolades, juxtaposing it with the harsh realities of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Her acceptance speech resonated deeply, calling attention to the broader implications of their work within the context of current global issues.

Mona Copti poignantly asked, “How did we get here? How did dehumanization become normalized? How have killing, destruction, and martyrdom become almost acceptable? How did we lose our moral compass and reach this point of ethical collapse?” Her words highlighted the urgent need for reflection and action in the face of such crises.

She further elaborated, “We hope this film provides some answers to these questions by illuminating the repercussions of indoctrination within societies and its impact on individual behavior, particularly in communities where women face constraints imposed by customs and traditions that deny them personal freedom. Our struggle is interconnected, and true liberation cannot be achieved in isolation. None of us is truly free until all of us are.” This powerful message emphasizes the importance of solidarity and collective action in the pursuit of social justice.

Indeed, the political undertones were palpable throughout the evening, as director Silvina Schnicer addressed the audience while accepting the jury prize for her film “The Cottage.” This honor was shared with Mo Harawe’s “The Village Next to Paradise.” Schnicer voiced her concerns regarding the stringent policies of her country’s government under Javier Milei, particularly the cuts to cinema funding, which threaten artistic expression and cultural production.

Additionally, Polish drama “Under the Volcano” emerged as another significant winner of the evening, earning the Best Director award for filmmaker Damian Kocur and the Best Actor trophy for star Roman Lutskyi. In a moving acceptance speech, Lutskyi dedicated his award to the armed forces of Ukraine, highlighting the film’s connection to real-world struggles.

For its 21st edition, the Marrakech Movie Competition attracted over 40,000 attendees, reflecting a remarkable increase of 5,000 admissions from the previous year. This surge can be attributed largely to the enthusiastic participation of young adults and students from Moroccan film schools. In addition to its outreach initiatives, the festival introduced an expanded festival hub that spans half a mile, incorporating new venues to create a more vibrant and inclusive atmosphere for all attendees.

Awards season favorites such as Walter Salles’ “I’m Still Here” and Gints Zilbalodis’ “Movement” captivated audiences during their screenings, while Jean-Claude Barny’s political biopic “Fanon” made its world premiere, further solidifying the festival’s reputation as a significant platform for African cinema and storytelling.

In alignment with its mission, the festival is set to enhance its Atlas Distribution Award initiative. This program aims to fuel broader domestic and international distribution for Moroccan, Arab, and Pan-African films showcased in Marrakech. Out of this year’s selection, 22 titles will qualify for Atlas support, including the evening’s standout winner.

Ali Hajji, the festival coordinator, remarked, “We realized that these projects, outside of their festival appearances, were often not reaching audiences in the Arab world or Africa. To ensure cultural and economic viability, we recognized the need to create a distribution system that effectively connects these films with viewers. Quite simply, we want Arab and African audiences to engage with these significant cinematic works.”