Franco-Tunisian director steals the show with migrant drama at Marrakech festival

MARRAKECH

Franco-Tunisian filmmaker Erige Sehiri captured the spotlight at the 22nd Marrakech International Film Festival last week, winning the coveted Golden Star award for her moving drama Promis le Ciel (Promised Sky).

The film tells the story of Ivorian migrants in Tunisia, navigating the harsh realities of survival while holding onto hope. Sehiri dedicated her win to anti-racist activist Saadia Mosbah, imprisoned in Tunisia since 2024.

"I would like to thank the Tunisians who have supported the migrant population in Tunisia and all those who have had the courage to speak out on issues of freedom," Sehiri said as she accepted the Étoile d’or. She added, “I would like to dedicate this award to Saadia Mosbah, a prominent human rights and anti-racism activist, who has been in prison for a year and a half.”

Sehiri’s film opens a window into the lives of those often left on the margins. Marie, an Ivorian pastor and former journalist, has spent a decade in Tunisia. She shelters Naney, a young mother working to save enough to send her daughter to Europe. There is also Jolie, a determined student carrying her family’s hopes, and the arrival of Kenza, a little girl orphaned in a migrant boat tragedy, forces the women to confront impossible choices.

The film’s raw authenticity is mirrored in its casting: Debora Lobe Naney, who plays Naney, was discovered in a public audition and was awarded Best Actress for her debut performance.

Festival president Bong Joon-ho, alongside a jury including Julia Ducournau, Hakim Belabbes, Celine Song, and Anya Taylor-Joy, presided over a celebration of cinema that also honoured other works exploring resilience and human connections. The Grand Jury Prize went to Jihan K’s My Father and Qaddafi and Vladlena Sandu’s Memory, while Oscar Hudson won Best Directing for Straight Circle. Best Actor was awarded to Sope Dirisu for My Father’s Shadow, set in Nigeria.

Among the festival highlights, American actress Jodie Foster received a lifetime achievement award. Speaking to the audience, she reflected on cinema’s power to explore humanity:

"I am still guided by the same love: telling stories, bringing characters to life, asking questions about our connections and our vulnerabilities, and exploring our humanity," Foster said.

She also praised Morocco’s vibrant atmosphere, noting, "All this enthusiasm and warmth! This is what Morocco is about: a country that charms all the senses. How lucky I am to discover it while being with you."

“Promised Sky” had previously opened the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes in May, and Sehiri’s victory in Marrakech cements her status as a bold cinematic voice unafraid to intertwine art with activism.