His 2012 film "Horses of God" is based on Mahi Binebine’s novel "The Stars of Sidi Moumen." In "Horses of God," Ayouch explores the radicalization that can occur in poverty and extreme machismo, alluding to the 2003 Casablanca Bombings. The film competed in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. It was also Morocco's submission for the 85th Academy Awards (held in February 2013).