Cairo International Film Festival: Moroccan Director Nabil Ayouch Awarded the “Golden Pyramid”

The Cairo International Film Festival honored Moroccan director and producer Nabil Ayouch on Wednesday, awarding him the “Golden Pyramid” for his lifetime achievement at the opening ceremony of the 47th edition of this major film event.

This tribute recognizes Nabil Ayouch’s cinematic career, acknowledging his contribution to the prominence of Moroccan and international cinema, as well as his commitment to fostering emerging talent and developing the film industry in the southern Mediterranean.

The award also recognizes his artistic journey, marked by the diversity of themes explored and his bold approach to social issues, while highlighting the prominent place Moroccan cinema has achieved on the Arab and international stages.

In a statement to MAP, Mr. Ayouch described the award as a “great honor,” emphasizing the special place the Cairo International Film Festival holds in his cinematic career.

He considered the prize “a mid-career reward,” expressing his desire to continue making films that open new perspectives for reflection.

The director also expressed his pride in this distinction, which recognizes his long-standing artistic ties with the festival, one of the first significant milestones in his career.

In this regard, he recalled his participation in the 21st edition of the festival with his film “Mektoub,” which won the Naguib Mahfouz Award for Best First or Second Feature Film, as well as the Best Arab Film Award.

In addition to this tribute, the Moroccan director is presiding over the jury for this year’s international competition, which includes Syrian-German director and screenwriter Amir Fakhr Eldin, British director Paul Davies, Chinese actress and producer Fan Bingbing, and Belgian director Laura Wandel.

A major figure in contemporary Moroccan cinema, Nabil Ayouch began his film career in 1992 with a short film, before directing his first feature film, “Mektoub,” in 1997, which was Morocco’s submission for the Academy Awards.

Throughout his career, Nabil Ayouch has distinguished himself with a filmography exploring diverse social and human issues, notably “Ali Zaoua,” which focuses on the world of street children; “Horses of God,” which addresses the question of extremism; “Razzia” and “Loud and Strong”; as well as “Everybody Loves Touda,” which highlights the art of aïta and the aspirations of a woman seeking emancipation.

Alongside these activities, Mr. Ayouch is committed to supporting young talent, particularly through the “Meda Films” program, dedicated to supporting filmmakers from the southern Mediterranean and promoting exchanges among industry professionals.

In recognition of his artistic achievements, the Louvre Museum in Paris dedicated three days in 2014 to screening a selection of his works, thus demonstrating the appreciation accorded to his artistic career.