Moroccan movie gets ecumenical prize at Montreal's world cinema festival

"Ali Zaoua," by Moroccan director Nabil Ayouch, has won the ecumenical prize for best movie at the Montreal's world movies festival that closed Monday.

The prize comes to reward "artistic qualities and contribution to human progress and in recognition of its spiritual, social and ethical values."

The jury was chaired by Iranian director, Abbas Kiarostami.

The Moroccan movie will carry on next week its American tour and will be featured in the opening of the Planet restaurant chain in Toronto.

"Ali Zaoua," the second movie directed by Nabil Ayouch, stars real homeless children, which brought the sympathy of movie-goers and jury members.