The 22nd Marrakech Film Festival opened on Friday with a star-filled screening of Gus Van Sant’s new film Dead Man Wire. The event was attended by Bong Joon Ho, Jenna Ortega, Anya Taylor-Joy, and other international film personalities, according to Variety. Bong, whose Oscar-winning film Parasite earned worldwide praise, is serving as this year’s jury president. He received a standing ovation at the opening ceremony and reflected on his early filmmaking years, saying his passion for cinema remains as strong as ever. He added that the festival, now in its 22nd year, carries a special energy. Bong will also conduct a masterclass during the event.

The opening film, Dead Man Wire, which premiered earlier at the Venice Film Festival, features Bill Skarsgård as Tony Kiritsis, a real-life criminal who kidnapped his mortgage officer in 1977 and led police on a dramatic chase. The movie will release in select theatres on January 9 before expanding worldwide on January 16. Joining Bong on the jury are Ortega, Taylor-Joy, filmmaker Celine Song, Palme d’Or winner Julia Ducournau, Brazilian director Karim Aïnouz, Moroccan filmmaker Hakim Belabbes, and Iranian-American actor-director Payman Maadi, Variety reported.

The ceremony also paid tribute to 85-year-old Egyptian actor Hussein Fahmi, who received enthusiastic applause. After a montage of his notable films, Fahmi greeted the jury members and was celebrated warmly by the audience. Running until December 6, the festival will honour Foster and Guillermo del Toro and screen their latest works. It will also feature talks with Kleber Mendonça Filho, Kramer, Laurence Fishburne, Jafar Panahi, and Andrew Dominik.