Anya Taylor Joy and Jenna Ortega step into a surprising new role together

Anya Taylor Joy and Jenna Ortega join the Marrakech jury as global attention intensifies around the festival

Anya Taylor Joy and Jenna Ortega have stepped into an influential new chapter as they join the jury of the Marrakech International Film Festival, a role that places both stars at the centre of one of cinema’s most closely watched events. The festival is set to run from late November to early December, attracting filmmakers from around the world who hope to earn recognition for fresh creative work. Their participation has instantly gained global attention, fuelled by the steady rise of both actresses and their growing presence across film and television.

Anya Taylor Joy continues to be recognised for dramatic performances that have shaped modern cinema, with credits that include The Queen’s Gambit, Furiosa A Mad Max Saga and Dune Part Two. Jenna Ortega has become a defining face of contemporary genre storytelling through Wednesday and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. Their growing influence in both critical and commercial spaces has made the announcement particularly notable for fans and industry watchers who follow the shifting power of female performers within international film culture.

They will sit alongside an accomplished group that includes Celine Song, Julia Ducournau, Karim Ainouz, Hakim Belabbes and Payman Maadi. Their collective task is to judge fourteen first and second feature films that have been selected for official competition. These films represent new voices from different regions, and the festival has positioned this edition as a moment to highlight talent that may shape the future of global cinema. Bong Joon Ho, already announced as jury president, brings further weight to the event after the cultural impact of his film Parasite.

Each jury member brings a distinct perspective shaped by personal craft and history. The range of experience among them is expected to create thoughtful discussion around the selected films. There is considerable anticipation surrounding the choices they will make by the closing ceremony, when the award winners will be announced in early December.

Online reactions have already spread across social media platforms, with fans celebrating the combined presence of Taylor Joy and Ortega. Their names trended shortly after the announcement, as users shared clips, edits and enthusiastic comments about seeing the two actresses collaborate in such a prominent setting. The festival appears set for heightened publicity as audiences follow each step leading to its conclusion.

The ceremony will mark the end of the competitive process and give the world its first glimpse of the filmmakers the jury believes deserve recognition. The involvement of Taylor Joy and Ortega has already added momentum to the event, and the reactions suggest that interest will continue to grow until the winners are revealed.