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Francis Ford Coppola Named President Of Marrakech Film Festival

Francis Ford Coppola has been named president of the 15th Marrakech Film Festival. The iconic director follows peer Martin Scorsese, who was president in 2013, and Isabelle Huppert, who was president last year.

“The Kingdom of Morocco is among my most favorite places on earth, and thus the Marrakech International Film Festival is a joy to attend,” said Coppola in a statement. “My paternal grandmother was born in North Africa (Tunisia) and I remember well the stories she told. All that personal history plus the fact that Morocco was the first country to recognize the American Colonies as an independent nation makes me feel most welcome.”

Coppola was honored at the festival in 2002. The filmmaker has five Academy Awards to his name for writing, directing or producing the likes of Patton, The Godfather trilogy, Apocalypse Now and The Conversation.

“These films have consistently been listed among the greatest films ever made,” fest organizers said. “As a writer, director, producer, and technological pioneer, has created a body of work that has helped to shape contemporary American cinema.”

The Marrakech International Film Festival will be held Dec. 4-Dec. 12.

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