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Join on Telegram Rabat – The 2021 International Women Film Festival in Sale concluded this year’s session by honoring Moroccan actress Touria Alaoui, in recognition of her remarkable artistic career and her contribution to the cinema industry in Morocco.
In a speech delivered at the ceremony, Abdellatif El Assadi, director of the festival, said that the festival aims to further strengthen the presence of culture within Moroccan society.
He reiterated the festival’s commitment to promoting equity and equality among young people by organizing seminars, meetings, and workshops on equality and related social challenges in Morocco.
“Cinema has a strong influence on individuals and societies,” he argued.
During the ceremony, actress Touria Alaoui expressed her immense happiness for the tribute, noting that “the film industry is both difficult and enjoyable, and we have seen its great importance during the pandemic period.”
She also called for “more attention” to be paid “to arts and culture because it is a necessity.”
The festival also honored the Swiss cinema in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Morocco and Switzerland.
Organized by the Bouregreg Association from November 8 to 13, the 2021 International Women’s Film Festival in Sale aimed to preserve its original orientation and identity as a festival dedicated to feminist fiction in cinema.
This year’s session saw the participation of 10 films in the feature film competition, and five films in the documentary film competition.
The film “Kuessipan” by Canadian director Myriam Verreault, won the Grand Prix of the 2021 International Women’s Film Festival.
The Special Jury Prize was awarded to Lebanese director Mounia Akl’s film “Costa Brava” while Palestinian-Israeli actor Salah Bakri who starred at Akl’s film won the Best Actor Award.
Meanwhile, the Best Actress Award went to Maria Scares for her role in Andrea Staka’s film “Mare.”
Palestinian director Samaher Alqadi was awarded the Documentary Prize for his work “As I Want,” while Morocco’s Merieme Addou won the Special Mention of the Jury for her film “Suspended Wives.”
The film “Janna” by Moroccan Meriem Abid won the Young Audience Award for short film and “The Healer” by Mohamed Zineddine won the Feature Film Award.
Several Moroccan artists such as Rafik Boubaker, Hind Al-Saadi, Hassan Folan, Ahmed Al-Naji, Mohamed Al-Shoubi, and Mohamed Miftah attended the event.
