Winner of several international awards, the feature film received the prestigious “Dialogue of Cultures between Islamic Countries” prize, a distinction that was also awarded to the film "Heaven Is Beneath Mother's Feet" by Kyrgyz director Ruslan Akun.

"The Slave" deals with relationships at work and the central role they play in the individual and collective existence of people and societies, and also looks at hierarchy, capitalism, class struggle, dehumanization, and slavery at work.

In a statement to MAP on this occasion, Mr. Jaouhari said he was proud of the 12th international award won by the film, describing it as a consecration of the place of Moroccan cinema in Asia in general and in Russia in particular.

"The 12th international prize awarded to The Slave by a major festival like Kazan is a source of pride for me as a director and a Moroccan. I offer this distinction to all Moroccans and to HM King Mohammed VI," he said, highlighting the Sovereign's wise policy in favor of Moroccan cinema.

This prize confirms the place of Morocco and Moroccans in Asia in general and in the Russian Federation in particular, given that Moroccan cinema is underrepresented in Asia, unlike in Europe, North America, and Africa, the Moroccan director pointed out.

In a speech read on his behalf by Moroccan director Jaouad Babili at the closing and prize-awarding ceremony, Mr. El Jaouhari emphasized the role of cinema as a "vector of peace and harmony between the peoples of the world."

"This prize will motivate me to make other films with messages that call for the cohesion of cultures, particularly those of Islamic countries, and to express the unity of our Muslim nations and their great message,” noted the Moroccan director, whose prize was received on his behalf by Mr. Babili.

For its 20th edition, the festival saw the participation of filmmakers from 40 countries and presented a varied selection of 144 films, including 51 cinematographic works in the official competition.

Since its establishment in 2005, the festival aims to foster cultural and artistic exchanges between professionals from Russia and Muslim countries. The event, also known as the Kazan International Muslim Film Festival, celebrates the human, spiritual, and moral values, as well as the cultural traditions depicted in the works of both Muslim and non-Muslim filmmakers.