In an interview, Efira discussed her early aspirations to become an actress, despite initial hesitations. "I wanted to be an actress since I was very young, around 5 or 6 years old," she revealed. "I did theater classes, put on plays at school, the whole thing." However, when she enrolled in a theater school in Belgium, self-doubt crept in. "I was afraid, I didn't think I was good enough. I had this impression that if I succeeded, it wouldn't be real."
Fate intervened when Efira was offered a TV hosting gig, which she initially resisted. "I thought, 'This is not at all what I had planned,'" she recalled. But she decided to embrace the opportunity, finding joy in the role. "I started to have fun, to try to be funny, and I thought, 'Why not?'"
The television work eventually led Efira to France, where she put her acting dreams on the back burner. "I had put aside the idea of being an actress," she said. But as she grew older, her fear subsided, and she began auditioning. Despite initial skepticism about her background in television, Efira persevered, landing small roles that eventually led to more substantial parts like in the film Sibyl by Anatomy of a Fall’s director Justine Triet.
Now, Efira is bringing her wealth of experience to the Marrakech Film Festival jury. "The atmosphere is great, and we've started discussing the films and giving our opinions," she said. "It's really interesting to have access to the intimacy of everyone, without necessarily talking about your own intimacy."
The diverse lineup of films at the festival has also impressed Efira. "There are a lot of first and second films, which is a big characteristic, so we have access to people with more limited experience," she noted. "There are also a lot of North African and African films. I hadn't seen many films that talked about Sudan, for example."
Efira believes the festival's programming reflects a shift in the cinematic landscape, particularly in Africa. "There's a certain diversity, a look at a very, very wide world," she said. "The festival has taken a position, in a way, by broadcasting films, publications that support the situation in Morocco."
As for the dynamics within the jury, Efira acknowledged that there have been lively debates. "There are very different opinions, not so much on the subject, but sometimes questions about things that seem good to you," she explained. "We talk about who made the film, and whether the subject being good necessarily means the perspective is good."
Despite the occasional disagreements, Efira has found the experience rewarding. "There have been quite amusing 'fights,' because there's also a way of caricaturing each other that's very funny," she said. "And there are very funny people, like Lucas Guadagnino, who is really committed."
Ultimately, Efira's journey from television to acclaimed actress has been a winding one, but she has embraced the challenges and found joy in the process. "I think I'm a little more French than I am French," she mused. "Sometimes I'm more assertive, sometimes I'm harder. But normally, I try to find a balance."