Moroccan film 'Hounds' triumphs at FrancoFilm Festival in Rome

Sunday 16 March 2025 - 11:09

By: Zahouani Ilham

Moroccan film 'Hounds' triumphs at FrancoFilm Festival in Rome

The Moroccan film Hounds (Les Meutes), directed by Kamal Lazraq, won the prestigious Grand Jury Prize at the 15th FrancoFilm Festival in Rome. The event, which concluded on Friday, saw a gathering of diplomats, artists, and cinema lovers.

This award marks a significant achievement for Lazraq, whose debut feature film has already earned him various national and international accolades, including the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival's Un Certain Regard section, the Jury Prize at the Marrakech International Film Festival, and the Grand Prize at the Tangiers National Film Festival, among others.

Nolwenn Delisle, the Festival Director, praised the film, calling it “a true breakthrough,” especially in its Italian version, where the title plays a crucial role in understanding the narrative.

Delisle also highlighted the consistent excellence of Moroccan cinema, noting, "Morocco continues to deliver films that captivate and move us, and we can never get enough of them."

On behalf of the Moroccan Embassy in Rome, Yassine Dadi, Deputy Head of Mission, received the award and expressed his pride in both the director and the film team, as well as the recognition of Moroccan cinema as a whole.

Kamal Lazraq, known for his work with non-professional actors in short films, adapted his unique approach to direct Hounds, his first feature film.

The FrancoFilm Festival, held from March 7 to 14, was organized by the French Institute Saint-Louis Center in partnership with the French-speaking Ambassadors' Group. The festival showcased 14 films and documentaries, representing various countries, including Morocco, Armenia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada-Quebec, Côte d'Ivoire, France, Luxembourg, Romania, Rwanda, Switzerland, and Tunisia.