Marrakech Kicks Off Film Festival in Shadow of War in Middle East

Mads Mikkelsen receives the tribute award during the opening ceremony of the 20th Marrakech International Film Festival, in Morocco, Nov. 24, 2023.

Film industry leaders in Marrakech attending one of the Arab world's largest film festivals emphasized Friday the importance of elevating cinema and artistic expression amid a shadow cast by Israel's war with Hamas and an earthquake that struck Morocco less than three months ago.