While Covering the International Marrakesh Film Festival
Simobb, the only Moroccan TV reporter in Los Angeles renowned for revolutionizing the Arab gossip media both in Morocco and the Arab world decided to stay at Radisson Marrakesh while he covered the International Marrakesh Film Festival (FIFM) exclusively. Created in 2001 by Majesty King Mohammed VI to promote arts and the film industry in Morocco, this year’s edition of FIFM had a very strong world cinema imprint, highly influenced by the country tribute to Russian cinema and the choice of iconoclastic Hungarian filmmaker, Bela Tara, as jury prexy.
Sarim Fassi Fihri, head of the Moroccan Cinema Center, and Faical Laraichi, head of Moroccan pubcaster SNRT are the two vice presidents heading the FIFM Foundation. Renewing the dialogue between talents and intellects, encouraging diversity, and building bridges between different cultures and countries, the Marrakech International Film Festival has become a crossroad where great national and international actors, producers, filmmakers and directors are gathered every year.
While personalities from the seventh art from all over the world compose FIFM’s jury, important delegations are present for the tributes to their countries, and a large number of diversified films are shown to the public. All these fascinating features allow the Festival to become an iconic event in the world of cinema and fortunately, Morocco is now a privileged destination for major movie productions.
“FIFM offers a window onto the world and a chance to see films that can’t be seen during most of the year. This is important for foreign guests and for the domestic audience who testifies that the festival has played a key educational function in Morocco,” both Laraichi and Fassi Fir explained.
Besides the first and only exclusive Moroccan TV reporter from Africa and the Middle East to interview RedOne exclusively in Los Angeles, and to cover EGOTs, Simobb is using his over eighteen years of vast experience in the media industry to influence the media world in a fascinating way. Among the several media houses Simobb has worked with are 2M; the second Moroccan TV channel, Nessma TV and Al Arabiya News English and B-Beirut (LBC SAT) where he covers glamorous international events currently.
“Every year I cover Marrakesh International Film festival, and I stay there for twelve days so I always choose an address that is great but bit far away from the ambiance of the festival so I can feel disconnected whenever I am back to the hotel to sleep and relax, Simobb wrote on his social media wall.
Simobb added, “This year I chose one that is set in the heart of Marrakesh – the Radisson Blu Marrakesh. In the vibrant Gueliz quarter; a location in the newly built Carré Eden complex gives easy access to the complex’s internationally recognized stores and restaurants as well as to trendy nightlife nearby. This modern hotel, which features a beautiful lobby, patio, and restaurant, is a striking contrast to the city’s historic quarter located just ten minutes away, where you can explore the Djemaa El-Fna square and traditional souks.”
The programming, tributes, master classes, audio description films for the visually impaired, and projections on the main square of Jemaa El Fna have contributed to making the Marrakech International Film Festival a place dreams, art, and civic engagement coexists in harmony.
“New and clean with professional, helpful and friendly staff, I want to say thank you for taking care of me during my stay, especially, the Marketing Manager Mr. Rachid Oubassou and the artistic director Malik Meziane… I love you and see you next year,” Simobb concluded.
Click here to watch Simobb’s report on International Marrakesh Film Festival 2016: