The Algerian film “The Outlaws” by  director Rachid Bouchareb won the Gold Award and the Best Arab Film Award at the 18th edition of Damascus International Film Festival. The Silver Award went to the Iranian film “Please Do Not Disturb”, directed by Mohsen Abdolvahab and the Bronze to the Syrian film “September Rain”, by director Abdellatif Abdelhamid.

Turkish director Reha Irdem received the Mustafa al-Akkad Award for Direction for his film Cosmos. The Jury Award was given to the Italian film “Our Life”, directed by Daniele Luchetti.

The Best Actor Award was given to George Pistereanu for performance in “If I Want to Whistle, I Whistle”, while German actress Maria Gabriela Schmeide received the Best Actress Award for her role in the film “The Hairdresser”.

In the short film competition, the Belgian film “The Swing”, for director Christophe Hermans won the Gold Award, while the Silver Award went to the Slovak film “Stone” for director Katerina Karikesova, and the Bronze Award went to the Tunisian film “Wave”, directed by Mohamed Attiya.

The 18th edition of Damascus International Film Festival included 222 long narrative films and 92 short films from 46 Arab and foreign countries showcased over seven days.

source: GAN