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Marrakech Comedy Festival unveils its first edition lineup celebrating emerging comic talent

Saturday 16 May 2026 - 10:33
By: Dakir Madiha
Marrakech Comedy Festival unveils its first edition lineup celebrating emerging comic talent

A landmark festival comes to life

The Marrakech Comedy Festival is set to make its debut from June 4 to 6, 2026, at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, bringing together some of the most promising voices in French-language and Arabic-language comedy. The festival's organizers have unveiled a lineup deliberately centered on emerging talent, signaling a clear ambition to position Marrakech as a major destination for comedy in the Arab world and beyond.

Karim Debbouze, one of the festival's driving forces, articulated the vision behind the programming: the goal was to give emerging talent a central stage without compromising on artistic standards. He described the festival as a launchpad for rising comedians, one designed to surprise audiences and extend Marrakech's cultural influence internationally.

The French-language gala: a new generation on display

The French-language gala will be hosted by comedian and master of ceremonies Malik Bentalha, a widely recognized figure in the francophone comedy world. The lineup brings together a cross-section of artists who represent the current and future directions of French-language humor. Among those announced are Paul de Saint Sernin, Meryem Benoua, Léopold Lemarchand, and Sossam the magician. The combination of styles and backgrounds reflects the festival's stated commitment to eclecticism and generational renewal. The French-language galas, scheduled for June 5 and 6, have already sold out, underscoring the level of anticipation surrounding the inaugural edition.

The Arabic-language gala: Morocco's comedy scene takes center stage

The Arabic-language gala, set for June 4, will be led by Moroccan comedian Eko, who has built a reputation for a distinctive connection with his audience and a rapid rise within the country's comedy landscape. Under his direction, the evening will spotlight the vitality of Morocco's emerging Arabic-language comic scene. Performers include Zoubir Hilal, Saif Eddine Settif, Amine des Inqualifiables, and Ghita Kitane. Tickets for this gala remain available, as do tickets for the festival's solo shows.

Solo performances: intimate encounters with singular voices

Beyond the two galas, the festival will feature two solo shows that offer audiences a more personal experience with individual artists. Yassar, widely regarded as one of the most compelling revelations in Moroccan comedy, will perform his solo show in darija, Morocco's colloquial Arabic dialect. His performance draws on close observation of daily Moroccan life and blends self deprecating humor with an acute sense of social detail. He is considered an emblematic figure of the new Moroccan comic generation.

The second solo show belongs to Nordine Ganso, a rising name in French-language comedy. His work is characterized by a poetic sensitivity applied to themes of intimacy, family transmission, and everyday experience. Organizers describe his stage presence as magnetic, with a rare ability to move audiences while making them laugh. Both solo performances remain open for ticket purchase through Guichet.ma.

Historic media coverage extends the festival's reach

The Marrakech Comedy Festival has secured a significant broadcasting footprint for its first edition. The French-language gala will be broadcast on Disney+, marking a historic milestone for Moroccan comedy on a major international streaming platform. Additional broadcasts are planned on 2M and TV5 Monde, extending the festival's reach across French-speaking audiences in Morocco and internationally. The partnership with these platforms reflects confidence in the festival's commercial and cultural potential from its very first year.

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