The French film tells the story of Leïla, a young artist of Iraqi origin who lost her memory following an accident, and who embarks, driven by an irresistible desire to live, on a journey to rediscover her roots and discover her family, learning the Arabic language, translating the poems of his exiled father, and delving into the history of the Gulf War.
The prize for the first work was awarded to the film “My father is not dead” by Moroccan director Adil El Fadili, while the “Mohammed Reggab” jury prize was awarded to Spanish director Marta Lallana for her film “ Mujeres”, and the Screenplay Prize went to Turkish director Cemil Agacikoglu for his film “The Reeds”.
The jury awarded the prize for male interpretation to Turkish actor Faruk Ozge for his role in the Turkish film “Faruk” by director Asli Ozge, while the prize for female interpretation was awarded to the Moroccan actress Anissa Lanaya for her role in the film “Diary” by director Mohammed Chrif Tribak.
As for the “Mustapha Mesnaoui” Critics’ Prize, it was won by the Turkish film “Faruk”, while the Italian film “Disco boy” by director Giacomo Abbruzzese received a special mention.
The closing ceremony, which took place in the presence of the governor of the province of Tetouan Abderrazzak Mansouri, local officials and personalities from the world of culture and arts, was marked by the presentation of a special prize to the director Moroccan Faouzi Bensaidi, and the screening of the documentary “The Mother of All Lies” by Moroccan director Asmae El Moudir.
In addition to the award-winning films, this edition was distinguished by the participation of the Palestinian film “A House in Jerusalem” by director Muayad Alayan, and the film “Fonissa” by Greek director Eva Nathena, as well as the Italian films “La Bella estate » (The Beautiful Summer) by director Laura Luchetti and “Pure unkown” by Italian directors Mattia Colombo and Valentina Cocogna, as well as the Spanish film “O Corno, a women’s story” by Spanish director Jaione Camborda.
The festival was also marked by meetings under the themes “Moroccan cinema today: new breaths, new trajectories” and “Testing Eric Rohmer? », bringing together researchers, academicians, critics, directors and actors.
The training program “Cinema professionals in Tetouan”, which has become an annual tradition in the festival, allowed young creators with cinematographic projects to meet directors and producers, in order to seek the opportunity to bring their films to fruition, in plus the organization of a screenwriting competition, where 12 screenplays competed after the festival management received 175 screenplays.
This edition was also punctuated by the organization of screenings outside cinemas, with the presentation of the Moroccan films “Pour Leïla” by Faouzi Bensaidi and “À ta voix” by Nabil Ayouch, for the benefit of inmates of the local prison of Tetouan, the presentation of three animated films for children, the organization of educational workshops for students and teachers of educational establishments, as well as others for university students on current artistic and technical subjects.
