MOSCOW * - The 14th International Muslim Film Festival opened in Kazan, the capital of the Russian republic of Tatarstan*.
The opening ceremony of the 14th International Film Festival was held in Kazan on Tuesday evening (Sept 4) with dozens of Russian and foreign cultural figures attending the event.
Speaking at the ceremony, Tatarstan Parliament Speaker Farid Mukhametshin read the message of Rustam Minnikhanov, the president of Tatarstan, saying every year, the International Festival attracts more attention from all over the world.
Mukhametshin noted that with the talented directors and cinematographers attending Kazan Festival, the festival will be more popular internationally.
In the first festival 40 films from 15 countries were featured and the number increased to over 900 films from over 50 countries, he added.
Also Mintimer Shaimiev, former president of Tatarstan said the festival is a major accomplishment for The Republic of Tatarstan and holds a special place in the Islamic world.
This year four Iranian films have been featured in the international festival.
The motto of the one-week film festival is 'To the dialogue of cultures through the culture of dialogue'. The event aims at enhancing international peace and persuading discourse among nations through the seventh art.
Over 960 movies from 57 countries will be presented in the 14th Kazan International Muslim Film Festival and 65 films from around 30 countries will take part in the competition.