The Moroccan film Lady’s, directed by Atika Al-Aql, claimed the top prize for feature films at the 12th International Human Rights Film Festival, which concluded on Sunday in Fes.
The festival spotlighted cinematic works dedicated to promoting human rights and showcasing cultural diversity.
Meanwhile, the Egyptian documentary Dear Ward, directed by Marwa El-Sharkawy, won the Best Documentary Film award, while the Yemeni film Sutl by Adel Mohammed Al-Haynah received the Jury Prize.
The festival jury, which includes prominent figures including Rania Yehia, director of the Egyptian Academy of Arts in Rome, Danish filmmaker Amani Turk, Kuwaiti writer-director Alaa Jaber, and Danish media professional Osama Al-Hibahiba, also commended Tunisian director Khaloud Al-Matlouthi’s Human 1×2.
All of the films tackled crucial issues such as women’s rights and child protection.
Festival director Maher Hashash described the event as a platform for fostering understanding and empathy through the arts. “This edition brought to life inspiring human and artistic interactions,” he said during the closing ceremony. “It provided a real stage to spotlight the pressing issues of human dignity and amplify the voices of those navigating profound struggles for their rights.”
Hashash said that the participating films were not merely artistic endeavors but living testimony and windows into culture.
The festival took place from November 29 to December 1.