Khouribga film festival: “L’Automne des Pommiers” by Mohamed Mouftakir wins Grand Prize

The feature movie “L’Automne des Pommiers” by Moroccan director Mohamed Mouftakir was awarded the Grand Prize of the 22nd edition of the International Festival of African Cinema of Khouribga (FICAK).

Burkinabé cinema was the guest of honor at the 22nd FICAK edition, held from May 28 to June 4 in Khouribga. Five films by renowned Burkinabe filmmakers were screened during the festival.

The Jury Prize (Fiction Section), baptized after the late Noureddine Saïl, was won by “I’ll go to the devil” by Tunisian director Ismahane Lahmar.

The “Idrissa Ouédraogo” directing prize went to Egyptian director Magdi Ahmed Ali (Egypt) for his film “In, 2 Talaat Harb”. The Egyptian movie was also granted the Jury’s Special Mention of Honor .

The Jury’s Special Mention of Honor was also awarded to Moroccan actor Mohamed Tsouli for his role in Mohamed Muftakir’s movie “L’Automne des Pommiers”.

The screenplay prize, which bears the name of Samir Farid, was won by the film “La nuit des rois” by Philippe Lacôte representing Côte d’Ivoire.

The prize for best female interpretation was awarded to Girley Chalène for her role in the film “The White Line” by Desiree Kahikopo (Namibia).

The prize for best male interpretation, baptized the late “Mohamed Bastaoui”, went to actor Michael Wawuyo Sr for his role in the film “A Taste of Our Land” by director Amuli Yuhi (Rwanda).

Besides the Egyptian movie “In, 2 Talaat Harb” and the Moroccan actor Mohamed Tsouli, the jury also awarded honorable mention to actress Daisy Lungu for her role in Paul’s film “Maria Kristu”; S. Wilo (Zambia) and to the choreography and singing troupe of the film “Twelfth Night” by Philippe Lacôte (Côte d’Ivoire). Another honorable mention for the quality of the image went to “Oliver Black” by Tawfik Baba.

In the Feature Documentary Section, the “Najib Ayyed” grand prize was awarded to “Walking on Water” by Aïssa Maïga (Niger). The Jury Prize, baptized in the name of Beninese director Paulin Soumanou Vieyra, was awarded to director Mia Lekou (Kenya) for her film “The Letter”.

The Special Mention of the documentary film went to the short film “Broken Mirrors” by Othmane Saâdouni.

The Don Quicotte Prize was awarded to the feature film “Oliver Black” by Tawfik Baba, which also won the Critics’ Prize, awarded by the African Federation of Film Critics (FACC).

The Festival paid tribute to Moroccan director and actor, Mohamed Choubi in recognition of his valuable contributions to cinema, theater and culture.