South Korean filmmaker Bong Joon Ho, acclaimed worldwide for his groundbreaking works and recipient of cinema’s highest honors, will preside over the jury of the 22nd Marrakech International Film Festival, scheduled from November 28 to December 6, 2025.
The Festival announced in a press release that the jury, under Bong’s presidency, will award the Étoile d’Or (Golden Star) to one of 14 debut or second feature films competing in the international competition, a section dedicated to discovering emerging filmmakers from across the globe.
“For many years, the Marrakech Festival has celebrated and showcased films of great beauty that bring new breath to cinema. I am delighted and honored to now be part of this tradition,” said Bong Joon Ho following the announcement.
“I look forward to sharing a powerful cinematic experience with the audience and taking the time to reflect on the true value of cinema,” he added, stressing that his enthusiasm “will be more than present in the theaters of Marrakech.”
Bong Joon Ho, born in Daejeon, Republic of Korea, in 1969, is regarded as one of the most influential filmmakers of his generation. His career spans over two decades, with internationally acclaimed titles including Memories of Murder (2003), The Host (2006), Snowpiercer (2013), Okja (2017), and the historic Parasite (2019), which became the first non-English language film to win the Oscar for Best Picture, in addition to securing the Palme d’Or at Cannes and multiple Golden Globes and BAFTAs.
His latest film, Mickey 17, released earlier this year, marks his eighth feature and further cements his reputation as a visionary director.
The Festival described Bong’s presidency as “the meeting of a visionary body of work and a festival that, for over two decades, has brought together world cinemas at the heart of Morocco.” His presence is expected to be one of the highlights of this edition, reinforcing the festival’s role as a hub of cinematic dialogue and creative reflection.
