Top prizes were handed out by the CineGouna Platform (Cgp) at the El Gouna Film Festival this week to projects in various stages of inception or completion. Winning a $15,000 prize for a project in development, “Theft of Fire” is Palestinian filmmaker Amer Shomali’s hybrid documentary, retelling the true story of an art heist “that never happened” to steal back antiquities pilfered from Palestinian lands by former Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Dayan.
Produced by Rashid Abdelhamid, the film is in the early stages of development but has already secured Canadian co-production.
“She Was Not Alone” won the equivalent Cgp Award for a film in postproduction. Produced by Huda Al Kadhimi and Huma Gupta and directed by Iraq’s Hussein Al-Asadi, the documentary gives a character portrait of Fatima, a nomad who tends for her buffalos in the poisoned marshes of Iraq as her island and way of life are threatened...
Produced by Rashid Abdelhamid, the film is in the early stages of development but has already secured Canadian co-production.
“She Was Not Alone” won the equivalent Cgp Award for a film in postproduction. Produced by Huda Al Kadhimi and Huma Gupta and directed by Iraq’s Hussein Al-Asadi, the documentary gives a character portrait of Fatima, a nomad who tends for her buffalos in the poisoned marshes of Iraq as her island and way of life are threatened...
- 12/21/2023
- by John Bleasdale
- Variety Film + TV
Africa-based filmmaker development organization Realness Institute has unveiled its next wave of initiatives as part of Mip Africa and Fame Week.
As part of the event, which is now in its second year in Cape Town, South Africa, alumni of six Realness Institute programs will pitch their films and television series to the market in The Film Pitch and The Episodic Pitch forums. Alongside this, the current cohort of the Institute’s Southern Africa Locarno Industry Academy (Salia) have programmed and co-organized the Fame Week Africa Short Film Festival.
Writer-directors from the seventh edition of the Realness African Screenwriters’ Residency program, which has nurtured films that have completed and been awarded at Sundance, Berlinale and Toronto among others, will be pitching. The residency has supported 48 feature films from 21 countries across the continent so far. This year’s cohort are from Gabon, Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa and have just completed six weeks of creative incubation.
As part of the event, which is now in its second year in Cape Town, South Africa, alumni of six Realness Institute programs will pitch their films and television series to the market in The Film Pitch and The Episodic Pitch forums. Alongside this, the current cohort of the Institute’s Southern Africa Locarno Industry Academy (Salia) have programmed and co-organized the Fame Week Africa Short Film Festival.
Writer-directors from the seventh edition of the Realness African Screenwriters’ Residency program, which has nurtured films that have completed and been awarded at Sundance, Berlinale and Toronto among others, will be pitching. The residency has supported 48 feature films from 21 countries across the continent so far. This year’s cohort are from Gabon, Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa and have just completed six weeks of creative incubation.
- 9/1/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Five screenwriters will take part in the six-week programme.
Five African screenwriters have been selected for the Realness African Screenwriters’ Residency, which will run for six weeks from July 14 to September 6 in South Africa.
The five writers are Ghana’s Amartei Armar, Nigeria’s Michael Omonua, South Africa’s Chantel Clark, Gabon-Lebanon’s Chadi Zeneddine and South Africa’s Babalwa Baartman.
For the seventh edition of the annual residency, the writers will work with three mentors: story consultants Selina Ukwuoma and Thandeka Zwana, and creative producer Cait Pansegrouw. The course will provide mentorship on the writers’ projects and how to...
Five African screenwriters have been selected for the Realness African Screenwriters’ Residency, which will run for six weeks from July 14 to September 6 in South Africa.
The five writers are Ghana’s Amartei Armar, Nigeria’s Michael Omonua, South Africa’s Chantel Clark, Gabon-Lebanon’s Chadi Zeneddine and South Africa’s Babalwa Baartman.
For the seventh edition of the annual residency, the writers will work with three mentors: story consultants Selina Ukwuoma and Thandeka Zwana, and creative producer Cait Pansegrouw. The course will provide mentorship on the writers’ projects and how to...
- 7/12/2023
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
First edition to include 14 features.
An EU-backed European Film Festival is set to launch in Saudi Arabia this week, comprising 14 acclaimed features and a series of filmmaker events.
The festival has been organised by the Delegation of the European Union in the Saudi capital of Riyadh with support from media firm Arabia Pictures Group (Apg). Taking place from June 15-22 in Riyadh, it is intended to promote European cinema and foster contacts between European and Saudi filmmakers.
Subjects covered in the programme of films include female empowerment, climate change and disability. Titles selected for the inaugural edition include Polish drama Never Gonna Snow Again,...
An EU-backed European Film Festival is set to launch in Saudi Arabia this week, comprising 14 acclaimed features and a series of filmmaker events.
The festival has been organised by the Delegation of the European Union in the Saudi capital of Riyadh with support from media firm Arabia Pictures Group (Apg). Taking place from June 15-22 in Riyadh, it is intended to promote European cinema and foster contacts between European and Saudi filmmakers.
Subjects covered in the programme of films include female empowerment, climate change and disability. Titles selected for the inaugural edition include Polish drama Never Gonna Snow Again,...
- 6/13/2022
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Pride
“Trixie Motel,” starring drag legend and “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” winner Trixie Mattel, “Book of Queer,” “Generation Drag” and “Control” are among the new Discovery+ originals commemorating U.K. Pride Month in June. 2022 marks 50 years of Pride in the U.K. and a dedicated content collection celebrating the Lgbtqia+ community is available via Discovery+ in the U.K. and Ireland from June 1.
Eight-parter “Trixie Motel” follows Mattel and her partner and property co-owner, David Silver, as they tackle the massive overhaul of a mid-century motel in Palm Springs, California and secures “free labour” from friends including Lisa Vanderpump, Zooey Deschanel, Iggy Azalea and Belinda Carlisle. Six-parter “Generation Drag” is a documentary series, executive produced by Tyra Banks, that follows five teen and tween drag performers from across the U.S. A as they prepare for drag ball Dragutante.
Five-parter “The Book of Queer” highlights some of history’s...
“Trixie Motel,” starring drag legend and “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” winner Trixie Mattel, “Book of Queer,” “Generation Drag” and “Control” are among the new Discovery+ originals commemorating U.K. Pride Month in June. 2022 marks 50 years of Pride in the U.K. and a dedicated content collection celebrating the Lgbtqia+ community is available via Discovery+ in the U.K. and Ireland from June 1.
Eight-parter “Trixie Motel” follows Mattel and her partner and property co-owner, David Silver, as they tackle the massive overhaul of a mid-century motel in Palm Springs, California and secures “free labour” from friends including Lisa Vanderpump, Zooey Deschanel, Iggy Azalea and Belinda Carlisle. Six-parter “Generation Drag” is a documentary series, executive produced by Tyra Banks, that follows five teen and tween drag performers from across the U.S. A as they prepare for drag ball Dragutante.
Five-parter “The Book of Queer” highlights some of history’s...
- 6/1/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Project incubator is part of the Cairo International Film Festival.
Cairo International Film Festival (Ciff) has appointed Lynda Belkhiria as manager of its Cairo Film Connection (Cfc) co-production market.
She replaces Chadi Zeneddine, who oversaw last year’s edition of the project incubator.
Belkhiria is a festival programmer who has been head of Tunesia’s Pro Carthage Film Festival industry platform since 2016. She also had a short stint as an industry event coordinator at the Doha Tribeca Film Festival.
The 44th edition of Ciff is due to take place from November 13-22.
The Cfc is a major component of the Cairo Industry Days,...
Cairo International Film Festival (Ciff) has appointed Lynda Belkhiria as manager of its Cairo Film Connection (Cfc) co-production market.
She replaces Chadi Zeneddine, who oversaw last year’s edition of the project incubator.
Belkhiria is a festival programmer who has been head of Tunesia’s Pro Carthage Film Festival industry platform since 2016. She also had a short stint as an industry event coordinator at the Doha Tribeca Film Festival.
The 44th edition of Ciff is due to take place from November 13-22.
The Cfc is a major component of the Cairo Industry Days,...
- 5/31/2022
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
The Cairo Film Festival’s Cairo Film Connection co-production platform wrapped Saturday with a glamorous prize ceremony which saw Egyptian first-timer Adhan El-Sherif’s “Ravens of the City” and French-Egyptian filmmaker Namir Abdel Messeeh’s “Life After Siham” stand out, though awards were widely spread.
“Ravens” of the City,” a gritty drama in development about a reckless hustler named Gharib who desperately needs cash to enter a street car race and falls prey to a money lender, scored four awards worth a total of $60,000 in cash. Produced by Sudan’s Mohammed Alomda (“You Will Die at Twenty”), “Ravens” will be getting consulting from U.S. non-profit Film Independent, which collaborates with Cairo.
Reflecting director Messeeh’s bi-cultural background, “Life After Siham,” is about a French film director conducting a filmmaking workshop in Egypt which turns into a way for him to confront the trauma of his mother’s death. “Siham,...
“Ravens” of the City,” a gritty drama in development about a reckless hustler named Gharib who desperately needs cash to enter a street car race and falls prey to a money lender, scored four awards worth a total of $60,000 in cash. Produced by Sudan’s Mohammed Alomda (“You Will Die at Twenty”), “Ravens” will be getting consulting from U.S. non-profit Film Independent, which collaborates with Cairo.
Reflecting director Messeeh’s bi-cultural background, “Life After Siham,” is about a French film director conducting a filmmaking workshop in Egypt which turns into a way for him to confront the trauma of his mother’s death. “Siham,...
- 12/5/2021
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
New works by emerging Arab film directors Soudade Kaadan (“The Day I Lost My Shadow”) and Lina Soualem (“Their Algeria”) are among standouts being presented at the upcoming Cairo Film Connection, the Cairo Film Festival’s co-production platform, where eight out of 15 selected projects are by female filmmakers.
This year more than a third of the Cfc selection is made up of first-time helmers presenting projects, alongside names who’ve made a splash with their debuts and are now working on their second films, and other directors making their first narrative features after establishing themselves in the documentary world.
Cairo Film Festival president Mohamed Hefzy has noted proudly that they received an unprecedented 110 submissions, most of which came from first-timers.
“We’ve decided to take risks in our choices and shine a light on new and eclectic talents,” said new Cfc manager Chadi Zeneddine, who is a former Doha Film Institute programmer.
This year more than a third of the Cfc selection is made up of first-time helmers presenting projects, alongside names who’ve made a splash with their debuts and are now working on their second films, and other directors making their first narrative features after establishing themselves in the documentary world.
Cairo Film Festival president Mohamed Hefzy has noted proudly that they received an unprecedented 110 submissions, most of which came from first-timers.
“We’ve decided to take risks in our choices and shine a light on new and eclectic talents,” said new Cfc manager Chadi Zeneddine, who is a former Doha Film Institute programmer.
- 11/24/2021
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Project incubator will take place during Cairo International Film Festival.
Upcoming features by Tunisian director Mehdi Barsaoui and Saudi filmmaker Ahd Kamel will be among 15 projects showcased at the eighth edition of the Cairo Film Connection (Cfc).
The project incubator will take place at the 43rd edition of the Cairo International Film Festival (Ciff), which runs from November 26 to December 5 this year.
It is at the heart of the festival’s Cairo Industry Days programme, which is organised in partnership with the Arab Cinema Center.
Barsaoui will present Aicha about a thirtysomething woman, caught between social dictates, family pressures and disillusionment,...
Upcoming features by Tunisian director Mehdi Barsaoui and Saudi filmmaker Ahd Kamel will be among 15 projects showcased at the eighth edition of the Cairo Film Connection (Cfc).
The project incubator will take place at the 43rd edition of the Cairo International Film Festival (Ciff), which runs from November 26 to December 5 this year.
It is at the heart of the festival’s Cairo Industry Days programme, which is organised in partnership with the Arab Cinema Center.
Barsaoui will present Aicha about a thirtysomething woman, caught between social dictates, family pressures and disillusionment,...
- 10/12/2021
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Chadi Zeneddine, one of the core team that created the Doha Film Institute’s talent incubator Qumra, has taken charge as manager of the Cairo International Film Festival’s (Ciff) co-production market Cairo Film Connection (Cfc).
Zeneddine’s predecessor Meriame Deghedi is now head of Cairo Industry Days.
The Cfc is open for submissions through Aug. 5, 2021.
Ciff recently confirmed that it will hold its 43rd edition Dec. 1-10. Now in its 8th year, the Cfc (Dec. 4-6) has supported more than 120 Arab filmmakers including Yousry Nasrallah, Kaouther Ben Hania, Sameh Alaa, Mehdi Barsaoui, Bassel Ghandour, Haider Rashid and Mayye Zayed.
To be eligible for submission to the Cfc, projects must be directed by filmmakers of Arab nationality or origin. The project must be a work of feature-length fiction or non-fiction in development or at post-production stage. The director of the project must have previously directed a minimum of one film,...
Zeneddine’s predecessor Meriame Deghedi is now head of Cairo Industry Days.
The Cfc is open for submissions through Aug. 5, 2021.
Ciff recently confirmed that it will hold its 43rd edition Dec. 1-10. Now in its 8th year, the Cfc (Dec. 4-6) has supported more than 120 Arab filmmakers including Yousry Nasrallah, Kaouther Ben Hania, Sameh Alaa, Mehdi Barsaoui, Bassel Ghandour, Haider Rashid and Mayye Zayed.
To be eligible for submission to the Cfc, projects must be directed by filmmakers of Arab nationality or origin. The project must be a work of feature-length fiction or non-fiction in development or at post-production stage. The director of the project must have previously directed a minimum of one film,...
- 6/30/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
The inaugural edition is being moved back by two weeks to December 6-15.
Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Film Festival is moving the dates for its inaugural edition to December 6-15, to take place three weeks later than the previously announced November 11-20 slot.
The event, which is Saudi Arabia’s first international film festival, was first mooted in March 2019 following the lifting of the country’s 30-year cinema ban at the end of 2017. It is due to unfold in the historic city centre of the Red Sea port town of Jeddah.
The inaugural edition was due to take...
Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Film Festival is moving the dates for its inaugural edition to December 6-15, to take place three weeks later than the previously announced November 11-20 slot.
The event, which is Saudi Arabia’s first international film festival, was first mooted in March 2019 following the lifting of the country’s 30-year cinema ban at the end of 2017. It is due to unfold in the historic city centre of the Red Sea port town of Jeddah.
The inaugural edition was due to take...
- 6/29/2021
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Zeneddine will head up the festival’s Cairo Film Connection project market.
The Cairo International Film Festival (Ciff) has bolstered its industry team with the appointment of Chadi Zeneddine as head of its Cairo Film Connection (Cfc) co-production market.
His predecessor Meriame Deghedi has been promoted to the role of head of the festival’s industry programme, the Cairo Industry Days, taking over from Aliaa Zaky.
Zeneddine is a well-known figure on the Middle East film festival and industry event circuit thanks to his previous role as a senior programmer at the Doha Film Institute (Dfi). During his eight years at the institute,...
The Cairo International Film Festival (Ciff) has bolstered its industry team with the appointment of Chadi Zeneddine as head of its Cairo Film Connection (Cfc) co-production market.
His predecessor Meriame Deghedi has been promoted to the role of head of the festival’s industry programme, the Cairo Industry Days, taking over from Aliaa Zaky.
Zeneddine is a well-known figure on the Middle East film festival and industry event circuit thanks to his previous role as a senior programmer at the Doha Film Institute (Dfi). During his eight years at the institute,...
- 6/29/2021
- ScreenDaily
Films from Qatar in Cannes belie the events taking place that seem beyond our control. Pictures and moving real time actions are being projected before our eyes that are slowly torturing us and bending us into to a new, unaccustomed and contorted state of being.Revered Russian filmmaker Aleksandr Sokurov © with (L-r) Doha Film Institute Senior Programmer Chadi Zeneddine, Doha Film Institute Artistic Advisor Elia Suleiman, Qumra Deputy Director Hanaa Issa and Doha Film Institute CEO Fatma Al Remaihi at a screening of ‘Russian Ark’ on day four of Qumra, an industry event by the Doha Film Institute dedicated to the development of emerging filmmakers on March 7, 2016 in Doha, Qatar.
The so-called president of my country gave a huge push this month (and credited himself for it) to grant Saudi Arabia’s newish young leader, Mohammed bin Salman, his blessing to put a chokehold on the feisty little brother Qatar,...
The so-called president of my country gave a huge push this month (and credited himself for it) to grant Saudi Arabia’s newish young leader, Mohammed bin Salman, his blessing to put a chokehold on the feisty little brother Qatar,...
- 7/1/2017
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Bespoke event nurtured development of 33 Dfi grantee projects.
The Doha Film Institute’s bespoke project development event Qumra, unfolding in Qatar’s seafront capital March 4-9, proved a hit with attendees for a second year running.
Aside from a series of freak storms and an escaped pet tiger, which brought traffic on Doha’s Corniche highway to a standstill as guests were transiting from one event to another, the event unfolded in the same intimate, cinema-focused atmosphere as last year.
A total of 33 Dfi grantee projects were invited to Qumra’s programme of master-classes, seminars and work-in-progress screenings, taking place between the modern palatial atrium of the Museum of Islamic Art and the boutique hotels of Doha’s old Souk quarter.
Industry mentors, who numbered around 100, included German producer Roman Paul, Protagonist Pictures CEO Mike Goodridge, Front Row Filmed Entertainment MD Gianluca Chakra and Beirut-based exhibitor and distributor Hania Mroué as well as the festival heads and representatives...
The Doha Film Institute’s bespoke project development event Qumra, unfolding in Qatar’s seafront capital March 4-9, proved a hit with attendees for a second year running.
Aside from a series of freak storms and an escaped pet tiger, which brought traffic on Doha’s Corniche highway to a standstill as guests were transiting from one event to another, the event unfolded in the same intimate, cinema-focused atmosphere as last year.
A total of 33 Dfi grantee projects were invited to Qumra’s programme of master-classes, seminars and work-in-progress screenings, taking place between the modern palatial atrium of the Museum of Islamic Art and the boutique hotels of Doha’s old Souk quarter.
Industry mentors, who numbered around 100, included German producer Roman Paul, Protagonist Pictures CEO Mike Goodridge, Front Row Filmed Entertainment MD Gianluca Chakra and Beirut-based exhibitor and distributor Hania Mroué as well as the festival heads and representatives...
- 3/14/2016
- ScreenDaily
Doha Film Institute has hit on a winning formula says filmmakers and top industry experts.
Top industry professionals and emerging filmmakers attending the Doha Film Institute’s Qumra meeting last week have given the inaugural meeting the thumbs up.
The bespoke programme welcomed 29 Dfi-backed projects for six-days of inspirational master-classes, seminars, work-in-progress screenings and hands-on ones-on-ones with some of the world’s top filmmaking talent.
The some 100 industry professionals at Qumra included Toronto International Film Festival artistic director Cameron Bailey, Film and Music Entertainment F&Me CEO Mike Downey, Visit Films founder Ryan Kampe and Jason Kliot of Open City Films.
Kliot said: “I love this formula. I think it’s really successful. I’ve been to all the events - in Rotterdam, Berlin and in New York during independent film week - and I think they all have strengths and weaknesses but what I find here is that the creators have been incredibly intelligent in keeping...
Top industry professionals and emerging filmmakers attending the Doha Film Institute’s Qumra meeting last week have given the inaugural meeting the thumbs up.
The bespoke programme welcomed 29 Dfi-backed projects for six-days of inspirational master-classes, seminars, work-in-progress screenings and hands-on ones-on-ones with some of the world’s top filmmaking talent.
The some 100 industry professionals at Qumra included Toronto International Film Festival artistic director Cameron Bailey, Film and Music Entertainment F&Me CEO Mike Downey, Visit Films founder Ryan Kampe and Jason Kliot of Open City Films.
Kliot said: “I love this formula. I think it’s really successful. I’ve been to all the events - in Rotterdam, Berlin and in New York during independent film week - and I think they all have strengths and weaknesses but what I find here is that the creators have been incredibly intelligent in keeping...
- 3/12/2015
- ScreenDaily
Rachid Bouchareb, Amanda Palmer, H. E. Sheikh Jabor Bin Yousuf Al Thani © 2010 Getty Images, Credit: Sean Gallup A spectacular outdoor film screening is fast becoming a Doha Tribeca Film Festival trademark, and award-winning French-Algerian director, Rachid Bouchareb, was proud to present his Outside the Law as the opening night screening. "Outside the Law is not just about the Algerian struggle for independence," said Bouchareb, "it also explores how an individual's culture is integral to their sense of identity and belonging in the world, a universal theme which I am sure Dtff audiences will be able to connect with." From left to right: Chadi Zeneddine (Dfi Mentor), Amanda Palmer (Dfi Executive Director), Scandar Copti (Dfi Head of Education and Film Programmer), Maggie Kim (Dfi Managing Director), David Kwok (Tribeca Film Festival (Tff) Director of Programming), Genna Terranova (Tribeca Film Festival (Tff) Senior Programmer) The excitment and glamour of Dtff's Opening Gala...
- 10/26/2010
- TribecaFilm.com
The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) drew to a close with a stunning award ceremony with fireworks, dervish dancing and a rich array of the most wonderful food for hundreds of guests.
The recognition of the best films in the festival and in the AsiaAfrica and Arab Muhr Competitions brought to an end an exciting event in which the crosswinds of Arab nations, Africa and Asia mixed and clarified issues of the film business which will be of great concern for the new cycle the film business is now entering.
The Muhr Awards included a new AsiaAfrica segment embracing films from such emerging markets as Afghanistan, Turkey, Cameroon and Kazakhstan. The Muhr Awards for Excellence in Arab Cinema made a strong show chosen from filmmakers all over the Middle East and around the world. DIFF's Artistic Director Masoud Amralla al Ali had good reason to be proud and the filmmakers will return with future films, judging on their reactions to the royal treatment they received in Dubai.
The prize for Best Emirati Talent went to Haydar Mohammed, Best Emirati Female Filmmaker was presented to Nujoom Al Ghanem and Best Emirati Filmmaker went to Saeed Salmeen Al-Murry. For the first time, the International Federation of Film Critics, or FIPRESCI, awarded a Best Arab Film prize to Masquerades by Lyes Salem.
Other prizes include the Arab Muhr Competition for Feature Film:
* Best Film: Masquerades by Lyes Salem
* Special Jury Prize: Adhen - Dernier Maquis by Rabah Ameur-Zaimeche
Documentary:
* First Prize: 'Thakirat L Sabbar: Hikayat Thalath Qura Falasteenia' ('Memory Of The Cactus: A Story Of Three Palestinian Villages') by Hanna Musleh
* Special Jury Prize: 'Samaan Bidiyaa' ('The One Man Village') by Simon El Habre
* Second Prize: Marina Of The Zabbaleen by Engi Wassef
Best Cinematographer: Luca Coassin for 'Casanegra'
Best Composer: Sylvain Rifflet for 'Adhen - Dernier Maquis'
Best Editor: Nicolas Bancilhon for 'Adhen - Dernier Maquis'
Best Screenplay: Annemarie Jacir for Milh Hadha Al-Bahr ('Salt Of This Sea')
Best Actress: Hafsia Herzi for Francaise
Best Actor: Anas Elbaz and Omar Lotfi for 'Casanegra'
Short Films:
* First Prize: La Route Du Nord ('The North Road') by Carlos Chahine
* Special Jury Prize: 'Bint Mariam' by Saeed Salmeen Al-Murry
* Second Prize: Sa et Asary ('At Day s End') by Sherif El Bendary
Muhr AsiaAfrica Awards
Feature Film:
* Best Film: Treeless Mountain by So Yong Kim
* Special Jury Prize: Kyuka ('Vacation') by Hajime Kadoi
Documentary:
* First Prize: Mental by Kazuhiro Soda
* Special Jury Prize: 'Xiao Li Zi' ('Survival Song') by Guangyi Yu
* Second Prize: Une Affarie De Negres ('Black Business') by Osvalde Lewat
Best Cinematographer: Reza Teymouri for 'Aram Bash Va Ta Haft Beshmar' ('Be Calm And Count To Seven')
Best Composer: Jorga Mesfin, Vijay Iyer for Teza
Best Editor: Sreekar Prasad for Firaaq
Best Screenplay: Deepa Mehta for Heaven On Earth
Best Actress: Anh Hong for Trang Noi Day Gieng ('Moon At The Bottom Of The Well')
Best Actor: Askhat Kuchinchirekov for Tulpan
Short Films:
* First Prize: 'Shao Nian Xue' ('Young Blood) by Haolun Shu
* Special Jury Prize: 'Expectations' by Mahamat-Saleh Haroun
* Second Prize: 'Kam Sanabanyz' ('Everything Is OK') by Akjoltoy Bekbolotov
The festival had previously announced the results of the second annual Dubai Film Connection (DFC), established to bring Arab and international film professionals together. DFC selected 18 projects from 108 submissions, of which three were awarded a US$25,000 Dubai International Film Festival Prize: 'This is my Picture When I Was Dead' by Mahmoud al Massad (Jordan-Netherlands); 'Barbershop Trinity' by Chadi Zeneddine (Lebanon); and 'Ouardia Once Had Sons' by Djamila Sahraoui (Algeria-Morocco). The three producers of the three projects will attend the prestigious 2009 Cannes Producers Network.
'Every Day is a Holiday' by Dima El-Hor (Lebanon-France) won the DIFF Desert Door Work in Progress Award, the 6,000 Euro ‘"International Relations" prize from French broadcaster Arte went to 'Death for Sale' by Faouzi Bensaiei (Morocco-France-Belgium); and the new Bahrain Film Production Company Works in Progress Award went to 'When I Saw You' by Annemarie Jacir (Palestine-Jordan). The new Young Journalist Award, instituted in 2008 to stimulate interest in film criticism as a career in the region, went to Melissa Khan of Mahe Manipal University in Dubai.
Winners of cash prizes from 21 competing projects in the Dubai Film Connection were chosen by a jury. Global film funds, sales companies and distributors will make deals with the winners of cash prizes, which total about $118,000. The Work In Progress Award of $25,000 from Kuwait company Desert Door went to 'Every Day Is A Holiday', a French/ Lebanese/ German co-production by Dima El-Horr and produced by Thierry Lenourvel. 'When I Saw You' by AnneMarie Jacir from Palestine won the $10,000 Bahrain Film Pfoduction Co. award for projects in development. 'Death For Sale' by Morroccan director Faouzi Bensaidi, on the 6,000 Euro prize from ARTE in France. Aside from the DIFF itself, there are numerous other activities all being ably managed by Shivani Pandya, Managing Director. These concurrent events have commanded great interest. The Co-Production Market run by Jane Williams, formerly with Binger Institut of Amsterdam, Hubert Bals Fund and the Rotterdam Cinemart is showing three works in progress including the Sundance FF 2009 Competition film 'Amreeka' by Cherien Dabis plus a list of other films in various stages of development. Working with Julie Bergeron of the Cannes Market Co-Production Market, the Co-Production Market is opening the doors between East and West in a notably winning style made possible to the warm hospitality of the people of Dubai. The Film Market where you can see every film in the festival plus more in a virtual on-demand video market has made its first deal with Alchemy Films picking up the South African feature ' Mr. Bones 2' for the Middle East. 'Mr Bones' producer, Anant Singh, also a favorite son of Los Angeles as well as of South Africa, is in Dubai with the international premiere of the documentary 'More Than Just a Game'. The Dubai Film Market, run by Zaid Yaghi is built on the model of IDFA's documentary market run by Fred De Haas who also manages the Documentary Market at IDFA. Tom Davia, Head of Programme Administration and Film Services also works with the Miami Film Festival. Other attendees here inlcude Thierry Lenouvel whose film 'Rachel' will be in the Berlinale 2009, Filmmaker Magazine and Forensic Films' Scott Maccaulay, Nadia Saah of New York, whose new company Boomgen Studios creates content and, most importantly, creates niche marketing and distribution for films with Middle Eastern content, Iran's M. Mehdi Yadegan of IRIM Media Trade, the largest TV station in the Middle East, producer Caroline Benjo of Haut et Court, international sales agents Pascal Diot of Onoma Films and Wouter Barendrecht of Fortissimo, Raphael Berdugo of Roissy, who is also a producer of 'Caramel', a Lebanese film which was in the Festival de Cannes and has been a great box office success in Lebanon. And, of course, FilmFinders is here seeing what new developments in the Middle East are being created in this time of great change in our film industry.
The recognition of the best films in the festival and in the AsiaAfrica and Arab Muhr Competitions brought to an end an exciting event in which the crosswinds of Arab nations, Africa and Asia mixed and clarified issues of the film business which will be of great concern for the new cycle the film business is now entering.
The Muhr Awards included a new AsiaAfrica segment embracing films from such emerging markets as Afghanistan, Turkey, Cameroon and Kazakhstan. The Muhr Awards for Excellence in Arab Cinema made a strong show chosen from filmmakers all over the Middle East and around the world. DIFF's Artistic Director Masoud Amralla al Ali had good reason to be proud and the filmmakers will return with future films, judging on their reactions to the royal treatment they received in Dubai.
The prize for Best Emirati Talent went to Haydar Mohammed, Best Emirati Female Filmmaker was presented to Nujoom Al Ghanem and Best Emirati Filmmaker went to Saeed Salmeen Al-Murry. For the first time, the International Federation of Film Critics, or FIPRESCI, awarded a Best Arab Film prize to Masquerades by Lyes Salem.
Other prizes include the Arab Muhr Competition for Feature Film:
* Best Film: Masquerades by Lyes Salem
* Special Jury Prize: Adhen - Dernier Maquis by Rabah Ameur-Zaimeche
Documentary:
* First Prize: 'Thakirat L Sabbar: Hikayat Thalath Qura Falasteenia' ('Memory Of The Cactus: A Story Of Three Palestinian Villages') by Hanna Musleh
* Special Jury Prize: 'Samaan Bidiyaa' ('The One Man Village') by Simon El Habre
* Second Prize: Marina Of The Zabbaleen by Engi Wassef
Best Cinematographer: Luca Coassin for 'Casanegra'
Best Composer: Sylvain Rifflet for 'Adhen - Dernier Maquis'
Best Editor: Nicolas Bancilhon for 'Adhen - Dernier Maquis'
Best Screenplay: Annemarie Jacir for Milh Hadha Al-Bahr ('Salt Of This Sea')
Best Actress: Hafsia Herzi for Francaise
Best Actor: Anas Elbaz and Omar Lotfi for 'Casanegra'
Short Films:
* First Prize: La Route Du Nord ('The North Road') by Carlos Chahine
* Special Jury Prize: 'Bint Mariam' by Saeed Salmeen Al-Murry
* Second Prize: Sa et Asary ('At Day s End') by Sherif El Bendary
Muhr AsiaAfrica Awards
Feature Film:
* Best Film: Treeless Mountain by So Yong Kim
* Special Jury Prize: Kyuka ('Vacation') by Hajime Kadoi
Documentary:
* First Prize: Mental by Kazuhiro Soda
* Special Jury Prize: 'Xiao Li Zi' ('Survival Song') by Guangyi Yu
* Second Prize: Une Affarie De Negres ('Black Business') by Osvalde Lewat
Best Cinematographer: Reza Teymouri for 'Aram Bash Va Ta Haft Beshmar' ('Be Calm And Count To Seven')
Best Composer: Jorga Mesfin, Vijay Iyer for Teza
Best Editor: Sreekar Prasad for Firaaq
Best Screenplay: Deepa Mehta for Heaven On Earth
Best Actress: Anh Hong for Trang Noi Day Gieng ('Moon At The Bottom Of The Well')
Best Actor: Askhat Kuchinchirekov for Tulpan
Short Films:
* First Prize: 'Shao Nian Xue' ('Young Blood) by Haolun Shu
* Special Jury Prize: 'Expectations' by Mahamat-Saleh Haroun
* Second Prize: 'Kam Sanabanyz' ('Everything Is OK') by Akjoltoy Bekbolotov
The festival had previously announced the results of the second annual Dubai Film Connection (DFC), established to bring Arab and international film professionals together. DFC selected 18 projects from 108 submissions, of which three were awarded a US$25,000 Dubai International Film Festival Prize: 'This is my Picture When I Was Dead' by Mahmoud al Massad (Jordan-Netherlands); 'Barbershop Trinity' by Chadi Zeneddine (Lebanon); and 'Ouardia Once Had Sons' by Djamila Sahraoui (Algeria-Morocco). The three producers of the three projects will attend the prestigious 2009 Cannes Producers Network.
'Every Day is a Holiday' by Dima El-Hor (Lebanon-France) won the DIFF Desert Door Work in Progress Award, the 6,000 Euro ‘"International Relations" prize from French broadcaster Arte went to 'Death for Sale' by Faouzi Bensaiei (Morocco-France-Belgium); and the new Bahrain Film Production Company Works in Progress Award went to 'When I Saw You' by Annemarie Jacir (Palestine-Jordan). The new Young Journalist Award, instituted in 2008 to stimulate interest in film criticism as a career in the region, went to Melissa Khan of Mahe Manipal University in Dubai.
Winners of cash prizes from 21 competing projects in the Dubai Film Connection were chosen by a jury. Global film funds, sales companies and distributors will make deals with the winners of cash prizes, which total about $118,000. The Work In Progress Award of $25,000 from Kuwait company Desert Door went to 'Every Day Is A Holiday', a French/ Lebanese/ German co-production by Dima El-Horr and produced by Thierry Lenourvel. 'When I Saw You' by AnneMarie Jacir from Palestine won the $10,000 Bahrain Film Pfoduction Co. award for projects in development. 'Death For Sale' by Morroccan director Faouzi Bensaidi, on the 6,000 Euro prize from ARTE in France. Aside from the DIFF itself, there are numerous other activities all being ably managed by Shivani Pandya, Managing Director. These concurrent events have commanded great interest. The Co-Production Market run by Jane Williams, formerly with Binger Institut of Amsterdam, Hubert Bals Fund and the Rotterdam Cinemart is showing three works in progress including the Sundance FF 2009 Competition film 'Amreeka' by Cherien Dabis plus a list of other films in various stages of development. Working with Julie Bergeron of the Cannes Market Co-Production Market, the Co-Production Market is opening the doors between East and West in a notably winning style made possible to the warm hospitality of the people of Dubai. The Film Market where you can see every film in the festival plus more in a virtual on-demand video market has made its first deal with Alchemy Films picking up the South African feature ' Mr. Bones 2' for the Middle East. 'Mr Bones' producer, Anant Singh, also a favorite son of Los Angeles as well as of South Africa, is in Dubai with the international premiere of the documentary 'More Than Just a Game'. The Dubai Film Market, run by Zaid Yaghi is built on the model of IDFA's documentary market run by Fred De Haas who also manages the Documentary Market at IDFA. Tom Davia, Head of Programme Administration and Film Services also works with the Miami Film Festival. Other attendees here inlcude Thierry Lenouvel whose film 'Rachel' will be in the Berlinale 2009, Filmmaker Magazine and Forensic Films' Scott Maccaulay, Nadia Saah of New York, whose new company Boomgen Studios creates content and, most importantly, creates niche marketing and distribution for films with Middle Eastern content, Iran's M. Mehdi Yadegan of IRIM Media Trade, the largest TV station in the Middle East, producer Caroline Benjo of Haut et Court, international sales agents Pascal Diot of Onoma Films and Wouter Barendrecht of Fortissimo, Raphael Berdugo of Roissy, who is also a producer of 'Caramel', a Lebanese film which was in the Festival de Cannes and has been a great box office success in Lebanon. And, of course, FilmFinders is here seeing what new developments in the Middle East are being created in this time of great change in our film industry.
- 12/27/2008
- Sydney's Buzz
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