Eighth Edition of DIFF to focus on Germany

Goethe-Institut, German Films, Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg and others to join with DIFF to present best of contemporary German film and talent, boost collaboration between Arab world and German studios, distributors, development bodies

·     Eighth edition of DIFF to be held from December 7 to 14

For its eighth edition, the Dubai International Film Festival will host a special focus on Germany, reinforcing the cultural and business connections between the Arab world and the European nation, the DIFF team announced at the 61^st Berlin International Film Festival recently. DIFF 2011 will be held from December 7 to 14 this year.

In addition to showcasing contemporary German cinema and talent, the In Focus: Germany presentation will also introduce German producers, distributors, sales agents, studios, scouts, festivals and development agencies to their counterparts in Dubai and the wider Arab world.

DIFF is developing this year’s In Focus segment with the Goethe-Institut, the nation’s cultural ambassador around the world; German Films, in charge of marketing and promotion of German films and its film industry; and the Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, one of Europe’s premier film commissions involved in film funding and location development and marketing.

Mariette Rissenbeer, German Films; 

Shivani Pandya, DIFF; 

Susanne Sporrer, Goethe-Institut; 

Jane Williams, DIFF Industry Office. 

Abdulhamid Juma, Chairman of the Dubai International Film Festival, said: “The Arab world, and the UAE in particular, shares a thriving relationship with Germany across domains from education to exports. We are proud to play our part in expanding these relationships by expanding ties with our peers in the German film industry and facilitating their engagement with the Arab world and its film community through Dubai and the Dubai International Film Festival.”

With DIFF growing in both its industry dimension through the Dubai Film Market and its public-facing dimension via its success in screenings, workshops and other events, filmgoers and the region’s talent and businesses will benefit from the relationship.

DIFF Managing Director Shivani Pandya said: “German organizations, producers and investors from The World Cinema Fund to ZDF/Arte have long supported filmmakers from around the Arab world through co-productions, funding, broadcast and knowledge sharing, and this year’s DIFF focus is both a recognition of their valuable support and an effort to boost these collaborations.”

Susanne Sporrer, Director of the Goethe-Institut Gulf Region, said: “DIFF gives us a wonderful opportunity to present for the very first time the variety and quality of German cinema in a concentrated way in the United Arab Emirates. It is our aim to make the international audience in the Emirates more familiar with German film in general. At the same time we want to encourage German filmmakers to get a deeper insight into a culture which is still not very well known in Europe. Since the film sector in the Emirates has been developing amazingly in the last years it is definitely an intriguing time to experience the new creative energy in this part of the world and to boost mutual understanding.”

Germany, the third largest economy in the world and the largest in Europe, is also a country of cinema legend, with a history dating back to the 1890s and a tradition of major technical and artistic contributions to world cinema including the 61-year-old Berlinale, one of the world’s leading film festivals. Films from around the Arab world have been a consistent feature at the Berlinale, and this year’s roster includes UAE national Khalid Mahmood’s award-winning short Sabeel.

In previous years, the Dubai International Film Festival’s annual tribute to cinematic excellence has focused on Italy, France and Mexico, receiving actors, directors, producers, films and industry delegates from each nation.

Ujala Asianet 2011 film Awards announced

Asianet announced the winners of Ujala Asianet 2011 film awards in 28 categories. Ujala Asianet is one of the popular and prestigious award given to the artistes in Malayalam cinema. The winners will receive cash price and a memento designed by artist Namboothiri.

Ujala Asianet Award nite is planned as a memorable event with colourfull performance and participation of leading heros and heroines from the Indian film industry. Celebrities from Hindi, Malayalam and Tamil film industries will not only participate but also perform in the stage in variety of programmes like dance, music and comedy skits.

The Award winner’s are:-

Superstar Mohanlal won the Golden Star Award and Vijay is the popular Tamil actor.

Mammootty’s performance in Pranchiyettan and The Saint and Kuttisrank won him the best actor award. Nayanthara is selected as the best actress for her role as the love interest of Dileep in Body Guard. Director and producer Ranjith’s Pranchiyettan & The Saint is the best film and Lal fetched the best director award for the film In Ghost House Inn.

Dileep is the winner of popular Actor award for his performance in Body Guard, Karyasthan and Pappi Appacha. Mamta Mohandas received the popular actress award for her memorable roles in Katha Thudarunnu and Anwar.

Sreenivasan won the special Jury Award for the film Aatmakadha. Jayasurya walked away with the youth icon of the year award. Major Ravi’s Kandahar bagged the special award for National integration. Kunjacko Boban and Archana Kavi are the winner’s of the best star pair award for the film Mummy & Me.

Ann Augustine, who won the hearts of audience for her role in Elsamma Enna Aankutty is the best newface award winner. Best female child artiste is Baby Anikha (Katha Thudarunnu) and the male child artiste winner is Master Alexander (TD Dasan, Std VIB).

Arun Kumar won the Editing award for Cocktail and Venu won the best camera award for the films In Ghost House Inn and Pranchiyettan and The saint.

Sreya Ghoshal fetched the best female playback singer award for her song Manjumazhakkalam in the film Aagathan. Hariharan’s Aro Padunnu Doore song for the film Katha Thudarunnu made him the best male playback singer.

Leading singer MG Sreekumar is the best music director and the best lyricist award winner is Murukan Kattakkada, both for the film Oru Naal Varum.

Sathyan Anthikkad is the best script writer for the film Katha Thudarunnu. Suraj Venjaramood is selected as the best comedian for various films. Asif Ali is the best villain for his role in Apoorva Raagangal.

Nedumudi Venu’s performance in Elsamma Enna Annkutty and Lakshmi Priya’s role in Katha Thudarunnu bagged them the best supporting actor and actress award respectively.

Samvrutha Sunil and Innocent won the best character actress and character actor award respectively for the films Cocktail and Katha Thudarunnu.

DIFF’10 wind up with honouring ceremony for winners

36 Muhr Awards and US$600,000 in prize money presented in Muhr Emirati, Muhr Arab and Muhr AsiaAfrica categories

Muhr Emirati first prize was won by Nayla Al Khaja for Malal (Bored) – UAE.

Soiko (The Earrings)

Un Mardi (A Tuesday)

Sabine El Chamaa’s Un Mardi (A Tuesday) is the first prize winner of Muhr Arab Short Film. Muhr AsiaAfrica Short Film first price was won by Nargiza Mamatkulova for Soiko (The Earrings).

Mahmoud Al Massad won the first price of Muhr Arab Documentary for Hathihi Swrati Wa Ana Mayet (This Is My Picture When I Was Dead). First Prize for Muhr Asia Africa Documentary winner is Jia Zhang-Ke for Hai Shang Chuan Qi (I Wish I Knew).

Georges Hachem is the winner of Muhr Arab Feature for the film Rsassa Taycheh (Stray Bullet). Bushra fetched the Muhr Arab Feature best actress award for 678 (Six, Seven, Eight) and the best actor was Maged El Kidwaany for 678 (Six, Seven, Eight). Muhr AsiaAfrica Feature first price was won by Mahamat-Saleh Haroun for Un Homme Qui Crie (A Screaming Man). Muhr AsiaAfrica Feature best actress award winner is Kobra Hasanzadeh Esfahani for Marham (Salve) and Youssouf Djaoro for Un Homme Qui Crie (A Screaming Man) is the best actor.

Lifetime Achievement honours presented to Sean Penn, Sabah and Souleymane Cisse

International and regional celebrities, UAE leadership walk the red carpet

The seventh Dubai International Film Festival wrapped on Sunday with a glittering awards ceremony honouring the best of world and regional cinema and talent of the last year and shining a light on outstanding emerging filmmakers.

The closing red carpet and awards ceremony drew UAE royalty including HH Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, HH Sheikh Mansour Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and HH Sheikh Saeed Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, as well as international and regional stars.

The 2010 Festival, considered the strongest, most accessible and exciting yet, played host to a line-up of 157 films from 57 countries including an outstanding array of contemporary Arab cinema; a robust competition focused on the UAE, the Arab world, Asia and Africa; a growing industry dimension and new public initiatives. The Sunday night awards ceremony, held at the Madinat Jumeirah, showcased the highlights of each section.

Diff Artistic Director Masoud Amralla Al Ali said: “This week, at Diff’10, we sampled the best cinema from around the world with a particular emphasis on work from the Arab world, Asia and Africa. All three of our competitions – the Muhr Arab, Muhr AsiaAfrica and Muhr Emirati – were outstanding this year, and one of our greatest challenges was to whittle the entries down to an initial shortlist. Tonight’s winners come from that shortlist, but even those who leave without a Muhr Award have reason to be proud.”

More than 36 of the Festival’s prestigious Muhr Awards were presented to the finest Arab, AsiaAfrica and Emirati films and talent. The winners of the Muhr Arab competition, which drew more than 400 entries from 42 nations, are:

For Muhr Arab Short Films:

Second Prize: Halima Ouardiri for Mokhtar — Canada

Special Jury Prize: Abdenour Zahzah for Garagouz — Algeria

First Prize: Sabine El Chamaa for Un Mardi (A Tesday) — Lebanon

For Muhr Arab Documentary:

Special Mention: Iman Kamel for Beit Sha'ar (Nomad's Home) — Egypt, Germany, Kuwait, UAE

Special Mention: Abdallah Al Ghoul for Tathkara Min Azrael (Ticket From Azrael) — Egypt, Germany, Kuwait, UAE

Second Prize: Soudade Kaadan for Saqf Dimashq Wa Hykayat Al Jannah (Damascus Roof And Tales Of Paradise) — Syria, Qatar

Special Jury Prize: Omar Sharqawi for Fra Haifa Til Noerrebro (My Father From Haifa) — Denmark

First Prize: Mahmoud Al Massad for Hathihi Swrati Wa Ana Mayet (This Is My Picture When I Was Dead) — Netherlands, USA, UAE

For Muhr Arab Feature

Best Cinematography: Xavier Castro for Pegase (Pegasus) —Morocco

Best Composer: Essam Rafea for Matar Ayloul (September Rain) — Syria

Best Editor: Hicham Saqer for Microphone — Egypt

Best Screenplay: Jillali Ferhati for Des L'aube (At Dawn) — Morocco

Best Actress: Bushra for 678 (Six, Seven, Eight) — Egypt

Best Actor: Maged El Kidwaany for 678 (Six, Seven, Eight) — Egypt

Special Jury Prize: Mohammed Al Hushki for Mudon Al Tranzit (Transit Cities) — Jordan

First Prize: Georges Hachem for Rsassa Taycheh (Stray Bullet) – Lebanon

The Muhr AsiaAfrica competition drew 445 entries from 62 countries, including 110 documentaries, 136 features and 199 short films. The winners of the Muhr AsiaAfrica awards include:

Muhr AsiaAfrica Short Films:

Second Prize: Jong-chul Park for Unfunny Game — South Korea

Special Jury Prize: Chih Yi Wen for Sleeping With Her — Taiwan

First Prize: Nargiza Mamatkulova for Soiko (The Earrings) — Kyrgyzstan

Muhr AsiaAfrica Documentary:

Special Mention: Ashvin Kumar for Inshallah, Football — India

Special Mention: Shahin Parhami for Amin — Iran, Canada, South Africa

Second Prize: John Akomfrah for The Nine Muses — Ghana, UK

Special Jury Prize: Ariane Astrid Atodji for Koundi Et Le Jeudi National (Koundi And The National Thursday) — Cameroon

First Prize: Jia Zhang-Ke for Hai Shang Chuan Qi (I Wish I Knew) – China

Muhr AsiaAfrica Feature

Special Mention: Lee Min-Ji for Jimseung Ui Kkut (End Of Animal) — South Korea

Best Cinematography: Sayombhu Mukdeeprom and Yukonteorn Mingmongkon for Loong Boonmee Raleuk Chaat (Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives) — UK, Thailand, Spain, Germany, France

Best Composer: Jonny Greenwood for Norwegian Wood — Japan

Best Editor: Marie-Helene Dozo for Un Homme Qui Crie (A Screaming Man) — France, Chad, Belgium

Best Screenplay: Mohsen Abdolvahab for Lotfan Mozahem Nashavid (Please Do Not Disturb) — Iran

Best Actress: Kobra Hasanzadeh Esfahani for Marham (Salve) — Iran

Best Actor: Youssouf Djaoro for Un Homme Qui Crie (A Screaming Man) — France, Chad, Belgium

Special Jury Prize: Oliver Schmitz for Le Secret De Chanda (Life, Above All) — South Africa, Germany

First Prize: Mahamat-Saleh Haroun for Un Homme Qui Crie (A Screaming Man) — France, Chad, Belgium

For the first time, Diff presented the Muhr Emirati Awards for excellence in filmmaking to UAE filmmakers. Fourteen films made by UAE nationals competed in the first Muhr Emirati shortlisted from more than 30 entries.

The winners are:

Muhr Emirati:

Special Mention: Waleed Al Shehhi for Reeh (Wind) — UAE

Second Prize: Khalid Al Mahmood for Sabeel — UAE

Special Jury Prize: Nujoom Alghanem for Hamama — UAE

First Prize: Nayla Al Khaja for Malal (Bored) – UAE

The Festival also presented a series of special awards, including the FIPRESCI International Prize of the Critics Award, the Human Rights Film Network Award, the Damas People’s Choice Award, and a brand new ‘People Who Make a DIFFerence’ Award. Additional prizes for the DIFF Young Journalist and Dubai Film Connection were presented earlier in the week.

The annual ‘Prize of the International Critics’ for Arab films from the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI), the world’s foremost body of film writers, academics and critics from over 60 countries, went to: ‘2 ½’ directed by Elie Kamal (Lebanon); ‘Zelal’ by Marianne Khoury and Mustapha Hasnaoui (Egypt/France/Morocco/UAE) and ‘Mudon Al Tranzit – Transit Cities’ by Mohammed Al Hushki (Jordan) in the shorts, documentary and feature film categories, respectively.

The Damas People’s Choice Award for 2010, voted by the members of the public after watching the movies at the festival screening venues – Cinestar at the Mall of the Emirates, First Group Theatre, at Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Madinat Arena, and The Walk at JBR – was clinched by Omar Sharqawi for Fra Haifa Til Noerrebro (My Father From Haifa) — Denmark

Diff also presented Sarah Al Gethami, a Saudi student at Middlesex University in Dubai, with the DIFF Young Journalist Award.

The awards ceremony also feted the three DIFF Lifetime Achievement Award honourees for 2010, including American film icon and international social and political activist Sean Penn; leading African director Souleymane Cisse and Egyptian-Lebanese icon Sabah.

The Muhr Emirati, Muhr Arab and Muhr AsiaAfrica award winning films will be screened at Cinestar cinemas at Mall of the Emirates on Monday, Dec. 20, 2010.

The seventh edition of the Dubai International Film Festival showcased an impressive line-up of 157 films from 57 countries including an outstanding array of contemporary Arab cinema. These included 41 world premieres, 13 international premieres, 58 Middle East premieres and 32 Gulf premieres, and a host of A-list talent. Nearly half the Diff’10 films – 70 – were by or about Arab people, subjects and places.

Saudi student wins DIFF Young Journalist Award

Sarah Al Gethami, a Saudi student at Middlesex University in Dubai, won the DIFF Young Journalist Award at the seventh edition of the festival.

This year, the focus of the Diff Young Journalist Award programme, held in partnership with CNBC Business and Screen International, was on the evolution of journalism, led by social media comprising blogging and tweeting, and its effect on the world of media.

Colin Brown of CNBC Business and Mike Goodridge of Screen International mentored ten selected students in a series of open workshops and a mentoring programme at the Film Forum Room, as part of the programme.

The students were briefed on various aspects of film journalism — film reviews, interviewing talent and industry professionals, monitoring trends, commercial, independent, and foreign film through new technologies such as blogging and Twitter.

Al Gethami, a student at the Middlesex University’s Advertising, PR and Media programme, said: “I had a true experience of film journalism at Diff. I interviewed a lot of people, which was a first for me. Overall, it was totally gratifying and a memorable event for me.”

The programme featured two workshops: “The Future of Film Business Journalism” and “The Role of Journalism at Film Festivals.” Participants of the workshops also used the Festival as their live laboratory to test their skills on deadline and submit their work to the mentors. The selected pieces were published in the Festival’s official newspaper, DIFF Daily.

Launched in 2008 as part of the Dubai Film Market’s commitment to enhance and educate the reporting and writing skills of students within the media and arts film, the Young Journalist Award programme provide students with hands-on training in the development of the culture of cinema appreciation and the film industry.

‘2 ½’, ‘Zelal’ and ‘Transit Cities’ win FIPRESCI ‘Prize of the International Critics’ at DIFF

The seventh Dubai International Film Festival has announced the winners of the International Federation of Film Critics’ (FIPRESCI) annual ‘Prize of the International Critics’ for the Arab feature, documentary, and short films screened in the Muhr Arab award competition at the festival.

‘2 ½’ (Two and a Half)

The winners are: ‘2 ½’ (Two and a Half) directed by Elie Kamal (Lebanon); ‘Zelal’ by Marianne Khoury and Mustapha Hasnaoui (Egypt/France/Morocco/UAE) and ‘Mudon Al Tranzit – Transit Cities’ by Mohammed Al Hushki (Jordan) in the shorts, documentary and feature film categories, respectively.

The feature and short films were evaluated by a jury headed by film critic Andrzej Werner and comprising film critics Gulbara Tolomushova and Mohammed Rouda, while the jury for documentary films was headed by film critic Magda Mihailescu, along with Leo Soesanto and Hala El Mawy.

Zelal

FIPRESCI is the foremost body of film writers, academics and critics from over 60 countries. The organisation has partnered with Diff to encourage emerging talent and promote Arab cinema globally. In all, 12 feature films, 15 short films and 13 documentaries, competing for the Muhr Arab awards, were evaluated for the prize.

Masoud Amralla Al Ali, Artistic Director, Dubai International Film Festival, said: “For decades, FIPRESCI has partnered with international film festivals the world over to nurture and promote the growth of emerging talent. It is an honour for Diff to partner with FIPRESCI and help provide a window of opportunity for the Arab film industry to reach out to an international audience.”

Spain bestows ‘Order of the Civil Merit’ on DIFF Artistic Director

Masoud Amralla Al Ali honoured for the Festival’s and his contribution to strengthening UAE-Spain relations

His Majesty King Juan Carlos of Spain conferred the grade of Officer in the Order of the Civil Merit of the Kingdom of Spain upon Masoud Amralla Al Ali, Artistic Director of the Diff, at a special ceremony during the seventh Diff at the Madinat Jumeirah.

His Excellency Gonzalo de Benito, the Ambassador of Spain to the UAE, presented the honour at a ceremony held at the Festival Headquarters. The order, instituted by Spain in 1926 to decorate Spanish nationals or foreigners who have contributed to political, economic, cultural or human relations with Spain, recognizes Al Ali and the Festival’s contribution to strengthening relations between the UAE and Spain.

“We are very pleased and honored to confer the Order of the Civil Merit of Spain on the Artistic Director of the Festival, a true link between Spain, the Spanish culture and the UAE. This is also a recognition of this fine cultural event, the Dubai International Film Festival, one of the most important events worldwide on the international festival circuit, and everyone who works on its behalf,” says His Excellency Gonzalo de Benito.

Among the 157 films from 57 nations showing at Diff this year is Spanish film ‘Biutiful,’ by the award-winning director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu and starring Javier Bardem.

Diff Chairman Abdulhamid Juma said: “We are honoured by the recognition from His Majesty King Juan Carlos of Spain for our Artistic Director Masoud Amralla Al Ali. It is a testament to strong relations between Diff and the Spanish community.”

He added: “Spain produces some of the most powerful movies, and has legendary talent who inspire filmmakers and actors across the world. Diff has hosted Spanish celebrities such as Pedro Almodovar, Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz, and continuously emphasised on showcasing Spanish films. This year, we have also joined hands with Spain’s San Sebastian International Film Festival to promote Arab filmmakers in Europe, taking our partnership with Spain another step further.”

Diff has also initiated cooperation with the film governing conglomerate Capital Regions for Cinema (CRC), opening doors for Arab filmmakers to key European markets. CRC is a network of the film agencies of Berlin-Brandenburg, the Comunidad de Madrid, Paris-Ile de France and Rome-Lazio.

DIFF’10 closing ceremony live on Abu Dhabi Emarat Channel

The closing night red carpet and awards ceremony of the seventh Dubai International Film Festival will be telecast live exclusively on Abu Dhabi Emarat Channel on Sunday, Dec. 19 from 6pm, followed by a repeat telecast on Monday morning, Dec. 20, the Festival and Abu Dhabi Media Company announced.

Highlights of the finale of Diff’10 include the Festival’s honouring of its 2010 Lifetime Achievement Honourees; and the presentation of the 2010 Muhr Arab, Muhr Asia Africa and Muhr Emirati Awards. The live telecast will also cover the red carpet ceremony to be attended by international celebrities and stars from the Arab world and the UAE.

The prestigious awards, for the best feature, documentary and short films and talent from the Arab world and the two continents, will be accompanied by prizes in excess of $600,000. In addition, Diff will also present the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI), Human Rights Film Network, Damas People’s Choice, Dubai Film Connection and DIFF Young Journalist awards.