Meryem Benm’barek, the Moroccan filmmaker behind Behind the Palm Trees, is navigating a whirlwind of emotion as her new drama readies for its world premiere at the Marrakech Film Festival. The anticipation is tempered by pride in her craft and a firm resolve to stay true to her vision. Benm’barek’s feature debut, Sofia, earned international praise in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes in 2018, establishing her as a distinctive voice in Moroccan cinema. With Behind the Palm Trees, she continues to build on that momentum, presenting a film that reflects her unique sensibilities and storytelling approach. Speaking about the project, Benm’barek underscores an uncompromising stance on artistic freedom. "I needed to maintain absolute creative freedom," she has said, explaining that the film’s development and presentation were guided by her insistence on independence from external constraints. World premieres at Marrakech offer a platform for Moroccan filmmakers to reach global audiences, and Benm’barek's new film embodies that spirit. As she readies Behind the Palm Trees for its debut, the director invites audiences to experience a story told without compromise, rooted in personal vision and cinematic craft.