Qatar’s Doha Film Institute (Dfi) kicks off the 10th edition of its Qumra project and talent incubator event meeting this Friday.
Running from March 1 to 6 in downtown Doha and the lofty surroundings of the city’s I. M. Pei-designed Museum of Islamic Art, the event will welcome the filmmakers and producers of 40 projects across all formats for six days of masterclasses, workshops and one-on-one mentoring sessions.
Participants include UK director Ana Naomi de Sousa with Naseem, Fight With Grace about boxing star Naseem Hamed; Moroccan filmmaker Alaa Eddine Aljem with Eldorado, The Taste of the South, his second feature after Cannes Critics’ Week title The Unknown Saint; Tunisian director Mehdi Barsaoui with Aïcha, which follows 2019 drama A Son for which Sami Bouajila won Best Actor in the Venice’s Horizons sidebar, and Palestinian director Saleh Saadi with TV series Dyouf, about a young man who returns to his...
Running from March 1 to 6 in downtown Doha and the lofty surroundings of the city’s I. M. Pei-designed Museum of Islamic Art, the event will welcome the filmmakers and producers of 40 projects across all formats for six days of masterclasses, workshops and one-on-one mentoring sessions.
Participants include UK director Ana Naomi de Sousa with Naseem, Fight With Grace about boxing star Naseem Hamed; Moroccan filmmaker Alaa Eddine Aljem with Eldorado, The Taste of the South, his second feature after Cannes Critics’ Week title The Unknown Saint; Tunisian director Mehdi Barsaoui with Aïcha, which follows 2019 drama A Son for which Sami Bouajila won Best Actor in the Venice’s Horizons sidebar, and Palestinian director Saleh Saadi with TV series Dyouf, about a young man who returns to his...
- 2/28/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
In other prizes Mounia Akl’s Costa Brava, Lebanon clinches Fipresci prize and inaugural Green Award.
Finnish director Teemu Nikki’s dark comedy-drama The Blind Man Who Did Not Want To See Titanic scooped the El Gouna Film Festival’s $50,000 Golden Star award for best narrative film over the weekend.
Its star Petri Poikolainen also won best actor for his performance as a blind man who ventures out of his small apartment and onto the streets to travel by train to spend time with his long-distance girlfriend.
The film world premiered in Venice’s new Horizon Extras where it won the audience award.
Finnish director Teemu Nikki’s dark comedy-drama The Blind Man Who Did Not Want To See Titanic scooped the El Gouna Film Festival’s $50,000 Golden Star award for best narrative film over the weekend.
Its star Petri Poikolainen also won best actor for his performance as a blind man who ventures out of his small apartment and onto the streets to travel by train to spend time with his long-distance girlfriend.
The film world premiered in Venice’s new Horizon Extras where it won the audience award.
- 10/25/2021
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
The Arab Cinema Center is launching the Critics Awards to promote and support Arab cinema internationally. The winners will be for Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actress and Best Actor.
The 26 member jury includes prominent Arab and foreign critics from 15 countries from around the world. Egyptian film critic Ahmed Shawky is serving as manager of the Critics Awards.
Film analyst Alaa Karkouti, CEO of Mad Solutions, the company in charge of organizing the Arab Cinema Center’s events and also the first Pan Arab independent distributor and PR company of Arabic content to and from the Arab world, said: “The Critics Awards marks a first-time initiative that encompasses film critics from all over the world dedicated to Arab films within the strategy of Arab Cinema Center to add initiatives and events to every large-scale international film festival around the world.”
He added: “This is the first new addition...
The 26 member jury includes prominent Arab and foreign critics from 15 countries from around the world. Egyptian film critic Ahmed Shawky is serving as manager of the Critics Awards.
Film analyst Alaa Karkouti, CEO of Mad Solutions, the company in charge of organizing the Arab Cinema Center’s events and also the first Pan Arab independent distributor and PR company of Arabic content to and from the Arab world, said: “The Critics Awards marks a first-time initiative that encompasses film critics from all over the world dedicated to Arab films within the strategy of Arab Cinema Center to add initiatives and events to every large-scale international film festival around the world.”
He added: “This is the first new addition...
- 4/16/2017
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Co-production market running Dec 9-11 during the Dubai International Film Festival unveils line-up.
Lebanese actress Hiam Abbass [pictured] and Palestinian director Najwa Najjar will be among the film-makers presenting their upcoming feature film projects at the Dubai Film Connection (Dfc) this year.
The annual co-production event, focused on Arab cinema and taking place during the Dubai International Film Festival (Dec 7-14), unveiled its upcoming line-up on Monday (Nov 7).
Projects
A total of 13 projects – hailing from Lebanon, Algeria, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, Syria, Palestine and Morocco – have been selected.
Abbass will present her second feature-length film A Girl Made Of Dust, an adaptation of Nathalie Abi-Ezzi’s acclaimed novel about the experiences of a family living in a village near Beirut during the 1980s Lebanese civil war, told from the perspective of its youngest member, the eight-year-old daughter Ruba.
Najjar – who won the top prize at the Dfc in 2011 for her last film Eyes Of A Thief – returns with The...
Lebanese actress Hiam Abbass [pictured] and Palestinian director Najwa Najjar will be among the film-makers presenting their upcoming feature film projects at the Dubai Film Connection (Dfc) this year.
The annual co-production event, focused on Arab cinema and taking place during the Dubai International Film Festival (Dec 7-14), unveiled its upcoming line-up on Monday (Nov 7).
Projects
A total of 13 projects – hailing from Lebanon, Algeria, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, Syria, Palestine and Morocco – have been selected.
Abbass will present her second feature-length film A Girl Made Of Dust, an adaptation of Nathalie Abi-Ezzi’s acclaimed novel about the experiences of a family living in a village near Beirut during the 1980s Lebanese civil war, told from the perspective of its youngest member, the eight-year-old daughter Ruba.
Najjar – who won the top prize at the Dfc in 2011 for her last film Eyes Of A Thief – returns with The...
- 11/7/2016
- ScreenDaily
What if the freedom that you’ve always craved resides in the place you least expect? In the new film “Blessed Benefit,” 45-year-old construction worker Ahmad (Ahmad Thaher) is arrested for fraud after using a client’s down payment to help his cousin sell 10 brand-new laptops. While he waits in prison for his debt to be repaid, he worries about his family and their financial situation, but soon realizes he feels liberated in prison as all of his material concerns are taken care of by the institution. Now, his new worry is that he’ll lose the liberty thrust upon him. Watch an exclusive trailer for the film below.
Read More: The 2016 IndieWire Tiff Bible: Every Review, Interview and News Item Posted During the Festival
The film is directed by Mahmoud al Massad. He previously directed two feature-length documentaries: “Recycle,” which follows an ex-mujahadi fighter struggling to make a living in Jordan,...
Read More: The 2016 IndieWire Tiff Bible: Every Review, Interview and News Item Posted During the Festival
The film is directed by Mahmoud al Massad. He previously directed two feature-length documentaries: “Recycle,” which follows an ex-mujahadi fighter struggling to make a living in Jordan,...
- 9/20/2016
- by Vikram Murthi
- Indiewire
“Blessed Benefit” (“Inshallah Estafadit”) written and directed by Mahmoud al Massad is a bit of a joke, but a dark joke being played upon the people of Jordan. Ten years ago, telling such a story of their degradation would have been a real joke. Today, to Mahmoud Al Massad’s chagrin, it is a true story.
This is story of Everyman who, in his misadventures with the law and the lawless, finds the blessed benefit of sharing the human comedy with others imprisoned for all trying to eke out a way to live in society, which, as I listened to the urgency in Mahmoud’s voice, has become atrociously greedy and violent within the space of the last ten years.
Maher Khammash as El Mor and Ahmad Thaher as himself, Ahmad
I spoke with Mahmoud at length and wished we could have had more time and hope we will indeed have more time at a future time.
This is story of Everyman who, in his misadventures with the law and the lawless, finds the blessed benefit of sharing the human comedy with others imprisoned for all trying to eke out a way to live in society, which, as I listened to the urgency in Mahmoud’s voice, has become atrociously greedy and violent within the space of the last ten years.
Maher Khammash as El Mor and Ahmad Thaher as himself, Ahmad
I spoke with Mahmoud at length and wished we could have had more time and hope we will indeed have more time at a future time.
- 9/19/2016
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Exclusive: Acquisitions ahead of the festival include Mijke de Jong’s Layla M, which premieres in Tiff’s Platform strand.
Germany-based international sales agent Beta Cinema has added four titles to its slate ahead of this month’s Toronto International Film Festival (Sept 8-18).
The company has picked up Mijke de Jong’s drama Layla M [pictured], which is set to premiere in the Platform competition section. The film follows an 18-year-old Dutch girl with Moroccan roots who joins a group of radical Muslims.
Director de Jong won a Crystal Bear at Berlin Film Festival in 2004 for his music drama Bluebird. Layla M was produced by Topkapi Films, Menuet, Chromosom Film, Schiwago Film, and Ntr and will receive its European Premiere in competition at the BFI London Film Festival in October.
Beta has also moved for Mahmoud al Massad’s dark comedy Blessed Benefit, which follows a Jordanian contractor who is imprisoned on an unfair fraud charge. Once inside...
Germany-based international sales agent Beta Cinema has added four titles to its slate ahead of this month’s Toronto International Film Festival (Sept 8-18).
The company has picked up Mijke de Jong’s drama Layla M [pictured], which is set to premiere in the Platform competition section. The film follows an 18-year-old Dutch girl with Moroccan roots who joins a group of radical Muslims.
Director de Jong won a Crystal Bear at Berlin Film Festival in 2004 for his music drama Bluebird. Layla M was produced by Topkapi Films, Menuet, Chromosom Film, Schiwago Film, and Ntr and will receive its European Premiere in competition at the BFI London Film Festival in October.
Beta has also moved for Mahmoud al Massad’s dark comedy Blessed Benefit, which follows a Jordanian contractor who is imprisoned on an unfair fraud charge. Once inside...
- 9/6/2016
- by tom.grater@screendaily.com (Tom Grater)
- ScreenDaily
Programmers at the Toronto International Film Festival (Tiff) announced that Isabelle Huppert, Kunle Afolayan and Genevieve Nnaji and Mark Wahlberg will be among the eight participants in the In Conversation With… series.
Moonlight, festival closing night screening The Edge Of Seventeen, Noces and Handsome Devil take their place in the youth-oriented Next Wave strand, while Discovery selections include The Empty Box, Godless, Hunting Flies and The Red Turtle.
A five-strong roster of virtual reality work brings new work from Canadian superstars Felix & Paul as well as Memesys Culture Lab in India.
Overall 397 films will play at the festival from September 8-18, comprising 296 features and 101 shorts, compared to 287 and 110 last year.
Festival organisers received 6,933 submissions (6,118 in 2015), of which 1,240 came from Canada (1,225) and the 5,693 balance from the rest of the world (4,893).
Festival Street
For the third consecutive year, King Street will close to traffic between Peter and University Streets over opening weekend from September 8-11.
“Festival Street brings great value...
Moonlight, festival closing night screening The Edge Of Seventeen, Noces and Handsome Devil take their place in the youth-oriented Next Wave strand, while Discovery selections include The Empty Box, Godless, Hunting Flies and The Red Turtle.
A five-strong roster of virtual reality work brings new work from Canadian superstars Felix & Paul as well as Memesys Culture Lab in India.
Overall 397 films will play at the festival from September 8-18, comprising 296 features and 101 shorts, compared to 287 and 110 last year.
Festival organisers received 6,933 submissions (6,118 in 2015), of which 1,240 came from Canada (1,225) and the 5,693 balance from the rest of the world (4,893).
Festival Street
For the third consecutive year, King Street will close to traffic between Peter and University Streets over opening weekend from September 8-11.
“Festival Street brings great value...
- 8/23/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Programmers at the Toronto International Film Festival (Tiff) announced that Isabelle Huppert, Kunle Afolayan and Genevieve Nnaji and Mark Wahlberg will be among the eight participants in the In Conversation With… series.
Moonlight, festival closing night screening The Edge Of Seventeen, Noces and Handsome Devil take their place in the youth-oriented Next Wave strand, while Discovery selections include The Empty Box, Godless, Hunting Flies and The Red Turtle.
A five-strong roster of virtual reality work brings new work from Canadian superstars Felix & Paul as well as Memesys Culture Lab in India.
Overall 397 films will play at the festival from September 8-18, comprising 296 features and 101 shorts, compared to 287 and 110 last year.
Festival organisers received 6,933 submissions (6,118 in 2015), of which 1,240 came from Canada (1,225) and the 5,693 balance from the rest of the world (4,893).
Festival Street
For the third consecutive year, King Street will close to traffic between Peter and University Streets over opening weekend from September 8-11.
“Festival Street brings great value...
Moonlight, festival closing night screening The Edge Of Seventeen, Noces and Handsome Devil take their place in the youth-oriented Next Wave strand, while Discovery selections include The Empty Box, Godless, Hunting Flies and The Red Turtle.
A five-strong roster of virtual reality work brings new work from Canadian superstars Felix & Paul as well as Memesys Culture Lab in India.
Overall 397 films will play at the festival from September 8-18, comprising 296 features and 101 shorts, compared to 287 and 110 last year.
Festival organisers received 6,933 submissions (6,118 in 2015), of which 1,240 came from Canada (1,225) and the 5,693 balance from the rest of the world (4,893).
Festival Street
For the third consecutive year, King Street will close to traffic between Peter and University Streets over opening weekend from September 8-11.
“Festival Street brings great value...
- 8/23/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Next month’s Toronto International Film Festival has nearly completed its lineup announcements, and each one is more impressive than the last. Today’s Tiff picks feature a number of slate additions for sections as varied as the forward-focused Discovery, their burgeoning Pop Vr section and even a handful of last minute additions to the Tiff Docs list. New titles of note that have just been announced include the Cannes hit “The Red Turtle,” Wayne Roberts’ “Katie Says Goodbye” and the well-regarded “Sand Storm,” all of which will screen as part of Discovery.
Read More: Tiff Lineup: 5 Reasons to Get Excited About the 2016 Program
Both the Next Wave and Tiff Kids section pull titles from other, previously announced sections to create an appealing lineup for the next generation of cinephiles. Standout titles include “Moonlight,” “My Entire High School Sinking Into the Sea” and “The Eagle Huntress.”
Additionally, the festival has...
Read More: Tiff Lineup: 5 Reasons to Get Excited About the 2016 Program
Both the Next Wave and Tiff Kids section pull titles from other, previously announced sections to create an appealing lineup for the next generation of cinephiles. Standout titles include “Moonlight,” “My Entire High School Sinking Into the Sea” and “The Eagle Huntress.”
Additionally, the festival has...
- 8/23/2016
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Producer of Rafi Pitts’ Berlinale Competition title is lining up several new projects.
Twenty Twenty Vision Filmproduktion, the German producer of Rafi Pitts’ Berlinale Competition title Soy Nero [pictured], is lining up projects from Israel and Cyprus.
Twenty Twenty’s managing director Thanassis Karathanos told Screen that principal photography on Israeli filmmaker Veronica Kedar’s Family began at locations in the German city of Halle last week.
Although the film’s story is set in Israel, Family will be shot completely in Germany. It marks another collaboration for Karathanos with Mosh Danon’s Inosan Productions after working together on Scandar Copti and Yaron Shani’s 2009 film Ajami.
Kedar’s second feature had been pitched at the 2014 edition of the Berlinale Co-Production Market where Twenty Twenty’s second project, Christos Georgiou’s Happy Birthday, was also presented to potential co-producers.
A March start is planned for the shooting of Georgiou’s first feature since the 2008 comedy Small Crime and...
Twenty Twenty Vision Filmproduktion, the German producer of Rafi Pitts’ Berlinale Competition title Soy Nero [pictured], is lining up projects from Israel and Cyprus.
Twenty Twenty’s managing director Thanassis Karathanos told Screen that principal photography on Israeli filmmaker Veronica Kedar’s Family began at locations in the German city of Halle last week.
Although the film’s story is set in Israel, Family will be shot completely in Germany. It marks another collaboration for Karathanos with Mosh Danon’s Inosan Productions after working together on Scandar Copti and Yaron Shani’s 2009 film Ajami.
Kedar’s second feature had been pitched at the 2014 edition of the Berlinale Co-Production Market where Twenty Twenty’s second project, Christos Georgiou’s Happy Birthday, was also presented to potential co-producers.
A March start is planned for the shooting of Georgiou’s first feature since the 2008 comedy Small Crime and...
- 2/14/2016
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
The Marché du Film (Cannes Film Market), in partnership with the Dubai Film Market (Dfm), will present an exclusive screening of five Arab films in post-production amongst the works-in-progress line-up at this year’s Cannes Film Festival: "300 Nights," "Border of Heaven," "The Curve," "Medina," and "The Other Side of November." Films part of the Dubai Film Market Goes to Cannes showcase will be screened to sales agents, distributors and festival programmers in Cannes, with filmmakers giving a brief introduction before showcasing excerpts from their films.
In addition five filmmakers who showcased their films at Diff’s 11th edition and the winners of the ‘The Reel Dubai Short Film Contest’ and ‘The Samsung Short Film Contest’ will present their films in the Cannes Short Film Corner, an essential platform to show their projects to a massive audience, pitch future projects, and make many important connections with industry professionals from around the world.
Through the Dubai Film Market’s (Dfm), the Dubai International Film Festival (Diff) plans to strengthen its program to further support filmmakers, develop a thriving film culture in the region, build a sustainable industry and promote Arab cinema on an international platform for the 12th edition which runs from December 9-16, 2015.
The Dubai Film Connection (Dfc), the region’s co-production market will return to the Dfm. Launched in 2007, the Dfc raised the visibility of Arab filmmakers and stimulated the growth of independent film production in the region. Over the years, numerous past Dfc projects have found critical acclaim around the world.
Shivani Pandya, Diff Managing Director said: “We’re very excited to reinstate the Dubai Film Connection. The filmmakers and industry professionals wanted it back and we listened. By offering the right networking and support opportunities the Dfc opens doors for Arab talent to promote and develop their film projects and it becomes a platform for producers and funds to find the best Arab projects ready for production.
The Dfc is now open for submissions for feature-length fiction and documentary projects in development by directors of Arab nationality or origin. The co-production market introduces Arab filmmakers to regional and international film backers and organizations. Deadline for submission is August 1st, 2015 and details are available at www.diff.ae
Enjaaz, the Dubai Film Market’s post-production and production support program continues to go from strength to strength, lending invaluable backing to a further ten of the region’s filmmakers.
The latest recipients of Enjaaz funding include: Mahmoud Al Massad’s "Blessed Benefit," Jihane Chouaib’s "Breathe," Halkawt Mustafa’s "El Clasico," Fares Naanaa’s "Borders of Heaven," Fawzi Saleh’s "Fish Killed Twice," Mai Masri’s "3000 Nights," Hany Abu Assad’s "Arab Idol," Afraa Batous’s "Skin," Maryanne Zéhil’s "The Other Side of November" and Hakim Belabbes’s "Weight of the Shadow."
Enjaaz is central to the Dfm’s strategy of developing the regional film industry by discovering and supporting filmmaking talent. By enabling more films to get realized, Enjaaz serves to diversify the choice of Arab films available to audiences. A total of 17 films supported by Enjaaz were screened at the 11th edition of Diff and more than 110 films have benefited from the program since its inception.
Swiss luxury watch manufacturer Iwc Schaffhausen, the Official ‘Festival-Time’ Partner of the Diff, continue their support with the highly anticipated fourth Iwc Filmmaker Award offering a cash prize of $100,000 which will help the winning filmmaker bring their ideas to life on screen. This collaboration reinforces Iwc’s global commitment to promoting the film-making industry and supporting talent in cinema with submissions opening later this month.
The Dfm’s most recent initiative, the Dubai Distribution Program (Ddp) launched last year to promote and facilitate the distribution of Arab films has achieved success with local, regional and international titles being picked up from Diff’s 2014 film program. The Ddp has expanded this year to offer greater opportunity for independent filmmakers to obtain distribution and showcase their films to a wider audience by screening films at Miptv, the largest global distribution market and at the Cannes International Film Festival.
In addition five filmmakers who showcased their films at Diff’s 11th edition and the winners of the ‘The Reel Dubai Short Film Contest’ and ‘The Samsung Short Film Contest’ will present their films in the Cannes Short Film Corner, an essential platform to show their projects to a massive audience, pitch future projects, and make many important connections with industry professionals from around the world.
Through the Dubai Film Market’s (Dfm), the Dubai International Film Festival (Diff) plans to strengthen its program to further support filmmakers, develop a thriving film culture in the region, build a sustainable industry and promote Arab cinema on an international platform for the 12th edition which runs from December 9-16, 2015.
The Dubai Film Connection (Dfc), the region’s co-production market will return to the Dfm. Launched in 2007, the Dfc raised the visibility of Arab filmmakers and stimulated the growth of independent film production in the region. Over the years, numerous past Dfc projects have found critical acclaim around the world.
Shivani Pandya, Diff Managing Director said: “We’re very excited to reinstate the Dubai Film Connection. The filmmakers and industry professionals wanted it back and we listened. By offering the right networking and support opportunities the Dfc opens doors for Arab talent to promote and develop their film projects and it becomes a platform for producers and funds to find the best Arab projects ready for production.
The Dfc is now open for submissions for feature-length fiction and documentary projects in development by directors of Arab nationality or origin. The co-production market introduces Arab filmmakers to regional and international film backers and organizations. Deadline for submission is August 1st, 2015 and details are available at www.diff.ae
Enjaaz, the Dubai Film Market’s post-production and production support program continues to go from strength to strength, lending invaluable backing to a further ten of the region’s filmmakers.
The latest recipients of Enjaaz funding include: Mahmoud Al Massad’s "Blessed Benefit," Jihane Chouaib’s "Breathe," Halkawt Mustafa’s "El Clasico," Fares Naanaa’s "Borders of Heaven," Fawzi Saleh’s "Fish Killed Twice," Mai Masri’s "3000 Nights," Hany Abu Assad’s "Arab Idol," Afraa Batous’s "Skin," Maryanne Zéhil’s "The Other Side of November" and Hakim Belabbes’s "Weight of the Shadow."
Enjaaz is central to the Dfm’s strategy of developing the regional film industry by discovering and supporting filmmaking talent. By enabling more films to get realized, Enjaaz serves to diversify the choice of Arab films available to audiences. A total of 17 films supported by Enjaaz were screened at the 11th edition of Diff and more than 110 films have benefited from the program since its inception.
Swiss luxury watch manufacturer Iwc Schaffhausen, the Official ‘Festival-Time’ Partner of the Diff, continue their support with the highly anticipated fourth Iwc Filmmaker Award offering a cash prize of $100,000 which will help the winning filmmaker bring their ideas to life on screen. This collaboration reinforces Iwc’s global commitment to promoting the film-making industry and supporting talent in cinema with submissions opening later this month.
The Dfm’s most recent initiative, the Dubai Distribution Program (Ddp) launched last year to promote and facilitate the distribution of Arab films has achieved success with local, regional and international titles being picked up from Diff’s 2014 film program. The Ddp has expanded this year to offer greater opportunity for independent filmmakers to obtain distribution and showcase their films to a wider audience by screening films at Miptv, the largest global distribution market and at the Cannes International Film Festival.
- 5/13/2015
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Dubai International Film Festival (Diff) has announced a series of industry initiatives for this year’s edition of the festival (Dec 9-16), including the return of co-production market Dubai Film Connection (Dfc).
Launched in 2007, Dfc was not held last year as Diff recalibrated its market activities, but returns this year following industry demand.
Dfc is now open for submissions for feature-length fiction and documentary projects in development from directors of Arab nationality or origin. Deadline for submissions is August 1, 2015.
“We’re very excited to reinstate the Dubai Film Connection,” said Diff managing director Shivani Pandya. “The filmmakers and industry professionals wanted it back and we listened.
“By offering the right networking and support opportunities, the Dfc opens doors for Arab talent to promote and develop their film projects and it becomes a platform for producers and funds to find the best Arab projects ready for production.”
Diff is also continuing with its Enjaaz post-production and production support...
Launched in 2007, Dfc was not held last year as Diff recalibrated its market activities, but returns this year following industry demand.
Dfc is now open for submissions for feature-length fiction and documentary projects in development from directors of Arab nationality or origin. Deadline for submissions is August 1, 2015.
“We’re very excited to reinstate the Dubai Film Connection,” said Diff managing director Shivani Pandya. “The filmmakers and industry professionals wanted it back and we listened.
“By offering the right networking and support opportunities, the Dfc opens doors for Arab talent to promote and develop their film projects and it becomes a platform for producers and funds to find the best Arab projects ready for production.”
Diff is also continuing with its Enjaaz post-production and production support...
- 5/11/2015
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Gael Garcia Bernal has been confirmed as a Qumra Master for the Doha Film Institute’s inaugural Qumra film initiative, which takes place March 6-11.
Twenty-three feature films, 4 feature docus and 4 shorts will participate in an industry programme designed to propel the projects to the next stage of development.
Twenty-two projects were selected from Dfi’s funding programmes and nine are by independent filmmakers from Qatar were identified through Dfi’s outreach with the local industry. There is an emphasis on supporting first- and second-time filmmakers.
“This has been designed to compliment everything we do year round, whether the educational workshops, the financial grants, the Ajyaal festival,” commented Dfi CEO Fatma Al Remaihi. “We want these filmmakers to get to the next level. Every aspect of this event is geared towards giving these first and second-time filmmakers access to the knowledge, inspiration and development opportunities that will allow them to move ahead in their careers.
Twenty-three feature films, 4 feature docus and 4 shorts will participate in an industry programme designed to propel the projects to the next stage of development.
Twenty-two projects were selected from Dfi’s funding programmes and nine are by independent filmmakers from Qatar were identified through Dfi’s outreach with the local industry. There is an emphasis on supporting first- and second-time filmmakers.
“This has been designed to compliment everything we do year round, whether the educational workshops, the financial grants, the Ajyaal festival,” commented Dfi CEO Fatma Al Remaihi. “We want these filmmakers to get to the next level. Every aspect of this event is geared towards giving these first and second-time filmmakers access to the knowledge, inspiration and development opportunities that will allow them to move ahead in their careers.
- 2/9/2015
- by Ali Jaafar
- Deadline
Mexican actor joins lists of ‘masters’ for Dfi’s inaugural Qumra event, which will see 31 projects from 29 countries involved.
Mexican actor, director and producer Gael Garcia Bernal has joined the list of ‘masters’ for the Doha Film Institute’s inaugural Qumra event, running March 6-11.
The masters previously reported in December are Abderrahmane Sissako, Leila Hatami Cristian Mungiu and Danis Tanović. “They represent different regions and different types of cinema, they all have mastered their craft,” Dfi CEO Fatma Al Remaihi told Screen. “But they are also all passionate to share their experience to help the next generation.”
Dfi has announced the 31 projects from 29 countries selected for Qumra, including 23 narrative features, four feature documentaries and four short films. There are 22 projects who are supported by Dfi and a further nine from Qatari independent filmmakers.
A total of 19 of the projects are in development with the rest in post production.
The 31 projects (full list below) include the story...
Mexican actor, director and producer Gael Garcia Bernal has joined the list of ‘masters’ for the Doha Film Institute’s inaugural Qumra event, running March 6-11.
The masters previously reported in December are Abderrahmane Sissako, Leila Hatami Cristian Mungiu and Danis Tanović. “They represent different regions and different types of cinema, they all have mastered their craft,” Dfi CEO Fatma Al Remaihi told Screen. “But they are also all passionate to share their experience to help the next generation.”
Dfi has announced the 31 projects from 29 countries selected for Qumra, including 23 narrative features, four feature documentaries and four short films. There are 22 projects who are supported by Dfi and a further nine from Qatari independent filmmakers.
A total of 19 of the projects are in development with the rest in post production.
The 31 projects (full list below) include the story...
- 2/9/2015
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
A little bit of coin news from Europe’s Eurimages Fund (support of 13 projects) in the same token drops a couple of hints on where we might be at with some of our favorite European auteurs – topping the list and making our mouths water for Cannes 2014 is a listing for Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s next feature film entitled Winter Sleep – a Turkish-German-France co-production. Further digging tells us that Ceylan actually began filming in late January in the unique backdrop of Cappadocia, Turkey with actors Haluk Bilginer (The Reluctant Fundamentalist), Demet Akbag, Melisa Sözen on board. Swedish auteur Ruben Ostlund (whose Play is mysteriously still without a U.S Distributor) is inches away from filming Tourist – which will be ready for a Croisette 2014 showing as well. Jasmila Zbanic who won big in Berlin back in 2006 with Grbavica: The Land of My Dreams, is funding her latest Love Island and feel...
- 3/20/2013
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
Geetu Mohan Das’ Liars’ Dice is one among the ten projects selected for the Summer 2012 grants from Global Film Initiative (Gfi).
Liars’ Dice is the story of a young mother from a remote Himalayan village who hires an aggressive, petty gambler to find her husband, who’s been out of touch for months after leaving for work in Delhi.
“The Global Film Initiative is a U.S.-based international arts organization specializing in cultural diplomacy, education and literacy through film. Established in 2002, it has awarded numerous grants to filmmakers in emerging nations around the world, and promoted community arts and education through distribution and exhibition of its signature world cinema series, Global Lens. All proceeds from Global Lens directly support filmmakers and are reinvested in the Granting Program and other philanthropic programs of the Initiative,” reads the official statement of Gfi.
Miss Lovely by Ashim Ahluwalia is among the earlier Indian recipients of the grant.
Liars’ Dice is the story of a young mother from a remote Himalayan village who hires an aggressive, petty gambler to find her husband, who’s been out of touch for months after leaving for work in Delhi.
“The Global Film Initiative is a U.S.-based international arts organization specializing in cultural diplomacy, education and literacy through film. Established in 2002, it has awarded numerous grants to filmmakers in emerging nations around the world, and promoted community arts and education through distribution and exhibition of its signature world cinema series, Global Lens. All proceeds from Global Lens directly support filmmakers and are reinvested in the Granting Program and other philanthropic programs of the Initiative,” reads the official statement of Gfi.
Miss Lovely by Ashim Ahluwalia is among the earlier Indian recipients of the grant.
- 10/9/2012
- by NewsDesk
- DearCinema.com
Fifteen feature film projects from 14 countries have been selected for the 8th Cinéfondation Atelier at the 65th Cannes International Film Festival (from May 16 to 27).
Among the projects will be In Your Name by Dutch director Marco van Geffen, whose first feature film Among Us was presented in competition at the last Locarno Film Festival.
Two first feature projects by female directors will also be on show with Touch Me Not by Romanian director Adina Pintilie (whose medium-length film Don't Get Me Wrong was selected by many festivals) and Des Etoiles (Stars) by Franco-Senegalese director Dyana Gaye (nominated for a César award in 2011 for best short with Saint Louis Blues), a project led by production company Andolfi and that has been promised an advance based upon box office receipts from the French National Center for Cinema and themoving image (Cnc).
Another project for a first European feature film will be presented at the Atelier with Franco-Portugese production Tristes Monroes (Sad Monroes) by the duo Gabriel Abrantes and Daniel Schmidt, who were noticed at the last Mostra in Venice in the Horizons selection with the medium-length film Palaces of Pity (France-Portugal).
There will also be Cannibal by the Spaniard Manuel Martín Cuenca that will be the director's seventh feature film after over 12 years, of alernatively making documentaries and fiction films.
The other projects selected for the 2012 Atelier are:
Odysseys by Malek Bensmaïl (Algeria) Run by Philippe Lacôte (Ivory Coast) Blessed Benefits by Mahmoud Al Massad (Jordan) 3,000 Nights by Mai Masri ( Palestine) The Untold Tale by Shivajee Chandrabhushan (India) The Dog Show by Ralston Jover (Philippines) To Kill A Manby Alejandro Almendras (Chile) The Last Land by Pablo Lamar (Paraguay) Du, Zooey and Ma by Robin Weng and Underground Fragrance by Pengfei Song.(China)
Created in 2005 to help emerging and confirmed filmmakers to complete financing for their film (115 directors have benefitted so far, 72 films have been made, and 20 are still in pre-production), the Atelier will allow those selected in 2012 to be present on the Croisette from May 18 to 25 with their producers for individual meetings with the professionals interested in their projects. The Book of Projects and application forms will be available at the beginning of April on the Cinéfondation's website.
This is from Cineuropa.org...
Among the projects will be In Your Name by Dutch director Marco van Geffen, whose first feature film Among Us was presented in competition at the last Locarno Film Festival.
Two first feature projects by female directors will also be on show with Touch Me Not by Romanian director Adina Pintilie (whose medium-length film Don't Get Me Wrong was selected by many festivals) and Des Etoiles (Stars) by Franco-Senegalese director Dyana Gaye (nominated for a César award in 2011 for best short with Saint Louis Blues), a project led by production company Andolfi and that has been promised an advance based upon box office receipts from the French National Center for Cinema and themoving image (Cnc).
Another project for a first European feature film will be presented at the Atelier with Franco-Portugese production Tristes Monroes (Sad Monroes) by the duo Gabriel Abrantes and Daniel Schmidt, who were noticed at the last Mostra in Venice in the Horizons selection with the medium-length film Palaces of Pity (France-Portugal).
There will also be Cannibal by the Spaniard Manuel Martín Cuenca that will be the director's seventh feature film after over 12 years, of alernatively making documentaries and fiction films.
The other projects selected for the 2012 Atelier are:
Odysseys by Malek Bensmaïl (Algeria) Run by Philippe Lacôte (Ivory Coast) Blessed Benefits by Mahmoud Al Massad (Jordan) 3,000 Nights by Mai Masri ( Palestine) The Untold Tale by Shivajee Chandrabhushan (India) The Dog Show by Ralston Jover (Philippines) To Kill A Manby Alejandro Almendras (Chile) The Last Land by Pablo Lamar (Paraguay) Du, Zooey and Ma by Robin Weng and Underground Fragrance by Pengfei Song.(China)
Created in 2005 to help emerging and confirmed filmmakers to complete financing for their film (115 directors have benefitted so far, 72 films have been made, and 20 are still in pre-production), the Atelier will allow those selected in 2012 to be present on the Croisette from May 18 to 25 with their producers for individual meetings with the professionals interested in their projects. The Book of Projects and application forms will be available at the beginning of April on the Cinéfondation's website.
This is from Cineuropa.org...
- 3/20/2012
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
In the seven previous editions (with 2007 being the best crop of films with noteworthy titles such as Bertrand Bonello's De La Guerre, Michelangelo Frammartino's Le Quattro Volte, Semih Kaplanoglu's Milk, Ciro Guerra's The Wind Journey, João Pedro Rodrigues' To Die Like A Man and So Yong Kim's Treeless Mountain), L’Atelier has been a pivotal stop for new auteurs in world cinema finding some coin. And while this doesn't carry the same weight as Rotterdam, so far the ratio is 72 for 115. Among the 15 projects selected this year we find find the likes of Dutch helmer Marco van Geffen (pictured) who gave us last year's Au Pair mystery Among Us (Locarno, Tiff), docu helmer Mahmoud Al Massad (Sundance's Recycle) and a foursome of filmmakers (Pengfei Song, Mai Masri, Pablo Lamar and Adina Pintilie) who've workshopped their nascent projects at the well-regarded Torino Film Labs. Here's...
- 3/15/2012
- IONCINEMA.com
"What makes Johann run — and rob?" asks Melissa Anderson in the Voice. "Benjamin Heisenberg's second feature is as taut, lean, and fleet as its title character, played by Andreas Lust and based on the real-life Johann Kastenberger, who was both Austria's most-wanted bank robber of the 1980s and a champion marathoner. Writing the script with Martin Prinz, who adapted his own 2005 novel about the notorious criminal, Heisenberg forgoes backstory and psychological explanation, structuring his film as a series of adrenaline spikes."
"Lust's character in The Robber is familiar from European crime movies," suggests Noel Murray at the Av Club. "He's the stoic loner who doesn't say much, lest he inadvertently reveal some kind of motivation. When he robs banks, he wears a thin mask that doesn't look all that different from his face, and when he goes on a date with his caseworker, Franziska Weisz, he's more amused by...
"Lust's character in The Robber is familiar from European crime movies," suggests Noel Murray at the Av Club. "He's the stoic loner who doesn't say much, lest he inadvertently reveal some kind of motivation. When he robs banks, he wears a thin mask that doesn't look all that different from his face, and when he goes on a date with his caseworker, Franziska Weisz, he's more amused by...
- 5/8/2011
- MUBI
The London Palestine film festival has simple but radical aims: to constantly push boundaries, disrupt our conventional understandings and make us see it all anew
The perilous art of choosing a film on Palestine for an international audience may appear fraught with elephant traps. Weighted down by more than 40 years of military occupation and 60 years of dispossession, and comprising the largest refugee population in the world, Palestine is a touchstone for passion and political engagement across the world. Is a film about it inherently too political, too ideologically rigid to enlighten, or indeed entertain? Do the unhappy politics of the place trump any chance of critical engagement on a film's artistic merit, or allow room for happy accident and serendipity in choosing a film?
The long-running London Palestine film festival, established at London University more than 20 years ago and held annually at the Barbican since 2005, arrived at a highly unexpected...
The perilous art of choosing a film on Palestine for an international audience may appear fraught with elephant traps. Weighted down by more than 40 years of military occupation and 60 years of dispossession, and comprising the largest refugee population in the world, Palestine is a touchstone for passion and political engagement across the world. Is a film about it inherently too political, too ideologically rigid to enlighten, or indeed entertain? Do the unhappy politics of the place trump any chance of critical engagement on a film's artistic merit, or allow room for happy accident and serendipity in choosing a film?
The long-running London Palestine film festival, established at London University more than 20 years ago and held annually at the Barbican since 2005, arrived at a highly unexpected...
- 4/28/2011
- The Guardian - Film News
Dubai International Film Festival
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
- The do-gooders over at the Sundance Institute have announced the four projects that will benefit from the expertise of others. Now in its fifth year, the Documentary Film Editing and Story Laboratory merges creative advisors with the lucky few who get some hands on help. The Creative Advisors for the 2007 Documentary Editing and Story Lab are: editors Jean-Philippe Boucicaut (Citizen King and Matters Of Race); Kate Amend (Thin, and Academy Award-winner The Long Way Home); Lewis Erskine (Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple and Marcus Garvey: Look for Me in the Whirlwind); Mary Lampson (A Lion in the House and Harlan County) and accomplished directors Robb Moss (Secrecy and The Same River Twice) and Ra’anan Alexandrowicz (The Inner Tour and James’ Journey To Jerusalem). Here are the brief descriptions of the lucky four projects that should get a Sundance festival birth fairly soon. Tibet In Song
- 6/15/2007
- IONCINEMA.com
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