Tuba Büyüküstün to Lead the Jury at Marrakech Short Film Festival
A Familiar Face in a New Role
Turkish actress Tuba Büyüküstün will preside over the international jury of the sixth Marrakech Short Film Festival. The festival returns from 25 to 30 September 2026, bringing filmmakers and cinema professionals to the city. For Moroccan audiences, her appointment also carries a familiar connection to television.
The Marrakech Short Film Festival
Founded during the pandemic, the Marrakech Short Film Festival set out to bring audiences back to cinema. It showcases short films by Moroccan and international directors, while giving emerging filmmakers a place to share their work. Beyond the screenings, it aims to connect Marrakech’s film community with audiences and professionals from elsewhere.
Tuba Büyüküstün’s Screen Legacy
Many Moroccan viewers came to know Büyüküstün as Lamiss in Sanawat Addayaâ, which aired on 2M. Since then, her roles have included Asi, Kara Para Aşk and Netflix’s Zeytin Ağacı. Her performance in 20 Dakika also earned an International Emmy nomination in 2014. Her return to Moroccan screens, this time through cinema, marks a new chapter in that relationship.
Perspectives from Across the Film Industry
Büyüküstün will be joined by British filmmaker Charlotte Regan, Marché du Film programming director Alice Kharoubi and Lebanese writer-director Daniela Stephan. Together, they form an international jury whose experience spans filmmaking, festival programming and the development of new talent.
A Moroccan Jury Alongside Them
The national jury will be led by Moroccan actor and director Rachid El Ouali. Actress and academic Jalila Talemsi and actor-director Hicham Ibrahimi complete the panel. Their presence places Moroccan cinema at the centre of the festival’s conversations as well as its competitions.
Beyond the Screenings
This edition also looks beyond the finished film. Through its AMANAR platform, the festival plans mentorship, industry talks and opportunities for emerging filmmakers to present their projects. Meanwhile, Bridges of Reality will explore African documentary storytelling, and Malta will feature as guest country.
Marrakech’s Short Film Moment
For six days, Marrakech will make room for short films and the people shaping their future. With Tuba Büyüküstün leading its international jury, the festival brings a widely recognised screen presence to an edition focused on discovering and supporting new voices.
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