20th Int. Festival of Islamic Cinema kicks off in Kazan, Tatarstan

The 20th International Festival of Islamic Cinema (2024) kicked off in the Tatarstan capital, Kazan, on Friday, September 6th. The festival, which will run until September 11th, features extensive participation from dozens of countries, bringing together producers and directors from around the world to highlight human and Islamic values through cinematic art.

The festival was inaugurated by the Chairman of the Council of Muftis of Russia, Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin, who called for the promotion of moral and spiritual messages through films.

The mufti emphasized that there is a significant demand for films that reflect traditional global values and spiritual messages, noting that the festival has become, over 20 years, a key platform for promoting education, spiritual development, and spreading values of peace through cinema.

It is noteworthy that the Kazan Islamic Cinema Festival, established in 2005, is considered one of the most prominent film festivals in Russia. This year’s edition continues under the theme “Towards a Culture of Dialogue through Civilizational Dialogue,” with participation from countries such as Iran, Russia, Turkey, Algeria, Morocco, China, Saudi Arabia, and others.

This festival is an opportunity to enhance understanding between cultures and religions by showcasing films that highlight values of tolerance and peace, regardless of the religion or culture of their producers, making it an important platform for cultural and civilizational dialogue on the international stage.