Jesse Eisenberg's 'The Debut' to Open the Marrakech Film Festival

Jesse Eisenberg's comedy 'The Debut' will open the 23rd Marrakech International Film Festival, giving the Moroccan festival a star-led launch for its latest edition.

The film stars Julianne Moore as a shy housewife who is cast in a community theater musical and transforms into a zealous Method actor, determined to protect the artistic integrity of even a marginal role. Eisenberg directed the film and is also expected to attend the opening gala alongside Moore.

The opening screening will be a gala presentation out of competition. The festival itself runs November 20-28 and is set to show 76 films from 39 countries, according to Deadline's lineup report.

The gala program also includes Luca Guadagnino's 'Artificial,' which will receive its regional premiere at the festival, and James Gray's 'Paper Tiger,' starring Adam Driver and Miles Teller. Other gala world premieres in the lineup include 'Leila et la nuit' and 'His Weakest Creatures.'

For Eisenberg, the opening-night slot continues a run as a director following 'A Real Pain,' which guided Kieran Culkin to an Oscar win. For Marrakech, landing a Moore-led comedy as its opener sets a high-profile, audience-friendly tone for a festival known for bridging African, European, and Middle Eastern cinema.