Asmae El Moudir's film, which toured several international festivals this year, won “Artistic Expression” and "Valentina Pedicini" awards.

“The director inspired a healing process through the creative recovery of a memory which is both individual and collective,” the organizers said, stressing that the movie “testifies to an astonishing cinematographic talent and maturity for a first movie".

The film tells the story of young filmmaker Asmae, who goes to her parents' place in Casablanca to help them move out. Back at her family home, she begins to sort through all the objects of her childhood. At some point, she comes across a photo, which becomes the starting point of an investigation during which the director questions all the little lies told by her family. Little by little, Asmae explores the memory of her neighbourhood and country.

The Love Award was granted to Lebanese film “Dancing on the Edge of a Volcano” by Cyril Aris, while the Jury Award went to the Yemeni feature film “The Burdened” by Amr Gamal.

A special mention was given to Spanish actress Maria Vázquez, protagonist of “Matria” by Álvaro Gago. The French film “Voices of Others” by Fatima Kaci won the short film award, while the Cervantes Roma Award was granted to the Syrian “Retour” by Yazan Rabee.

In the presence of Moroccan ambassador to Italy, Youssef Balla, the award-giving ceremony was marked by the screening of Moroccan film “Summer Days” by Faouzi Bensaidi.