Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF)

  • Palestinian film, Habibi, Wins Top Prizes at 2011 Dubai International Film Festival

    [caption id="attachment_2035" align="alignnone"]Habibi[/caption]

    “Habibi,” a story of forbidden love, and the first fiction feature set in Gaza in over 15 years was the big winner at the 2011 Dubai International Film Festival. Habibi received the awards for Muhr Arab Feature – Best Film :Susan Youssef (Director), Muhr Arab Feature – Best Actress :Maisa Abd Elhadi (Actor / Actress), Muhr Arab Feature – Best Editor :Susan Youssef (Editor, FIPRESCI Arab Feature :Susan Youssef (Director), and Muhr Arab Feature – Best Editor :Man Kit Lam (Editor).

    The film is described as a modern re-telling of the legendary tragic romance ‘Majnun Layla’, which was set in seventh century Arabia, when a poet named Qays fell in love with Layla. Driven by the intensity of his passion, Qays was known as ‘Majnun Layla’, which translates as ‘madman for Layla’. In the contemporary setting, two students in the West Bank are forced to return home to Gaza, where their love defies tradition. To reach his lover, Qays graffiti’s poetry across town.

    The complete list of winners of the 2011 Dubai International Film Festival

    Muhr Arab Feature

    Muhr Arab Feature – Best Film
    HABIBI RASAK KHARBAN (HABIBI)
    Director: Susan Youssef
    Palestine, U.S.A., Netherlands, United Arab Emirates

    Muhr Arab Feature – Special Jury Prize
    AL JUMA AL AKHEIRA (The LAST FRIDAY)
    Director: Yahya Al Abdallah
    Jordan, United Arab Emirates

    Muhr Arab Feature – Best Actor
    AL JUMA AL AKHEIRA (The LAST FRIDAY)
    Actor / Actress: Ali Suliman
    Jordan, United Arab Emirates

    Muhr Arab Feature – Best Actress
    HABIBI RASAK KHARBAN (HABIBI)
    Actor / Actress: Maisa Abd Elhadi
    Palestine, U.S.A., Netherlands, United Arab Emirates

    Muhr Arab Feature – Best Scriptwriter
    SHI GHADI OU SHI JAY (BOILING DREAMS)
    Scriptwriter: Hakim Belabbes
    Morocco

    Muhr Arab Feature – Best Editor
    HABIBI RASAK KHARBAN (HABIBI)
    Editor: Susan Youssef
    Palestine, U.S.A., Netherlands, United Arab Emirates

    Muhr Arab Feature – Best Editor
    HABIBI RASAK KHARBAN (HABIBI)
    Editor: Man Kit Lam
    Palestine, U.S.A., Netherlands, United Arab Emirates

    Muhr Arab Feature – Best Cinematographer
    SHI GHADI OU SHI JAY (BOILING DREAMS)
    Cinematographer: Raphael Bauche
    Morocco

    Muhr Arab Feature – Best Composer
    AL JUMA AL AKHEIRA (The LAST FRIDAY)
    Composer: Trio Jubran
    Jordan, United Arab Emirates

    Muhr Arab Feature – Best Composer
    AL JUMA AL AKHEIRA (The LAST FRIDAY)
    Composer: Trio Jubran
    Jordan, United Arab Emirates

    Muhr Arab Documentary

    Muhr Arab Documentary – First Prize
    SECTOR ZERO (SECTOR ZERO)
    Director: Nadim Mishlawi
    Lebanon, United Arab Emirates

    Muhr Arab Documentary – Special Jury Prize
    HALABJA – THE LOST CHILDREN (HALABJA – THE LOST CHILDREN)
    Director: Akram Hidou
    Germany, Iraq, Syria

    Muhr Arab Documentary – Second Prize
    ICI, ON NOIE LES ALGERIENS – 17 OCTOBRE 1961 (HERE WE DROWN ALGERIANS – OCTOBER 17TH, 1961)
    Director: Yasmina Adi
    France

    Muhr Arab Documentary – Special Mention
    LA KHAOUFA BAADA AL’YAOUM (NO MORE FEAR)
    Director: Mourad Ben Cheikh
    Tunisia

    Muhr Arab Short

    Muhr Arabic Shorts – First Prize
    SUR LA ROUTE DU PARADIS (THE ROAD TO PARADISE)
    Director: Uda Benyamina
    France

    Muhr Arab Short – Special Jury Prize
    BRÛLEURS (BURNERS)
    Director: Farid Bentoumi ,Farid Bentoumi
    France

    Muhr Arab Short – Second Prize
    ARD AL ABTAL (LAND OF THE HEROES)
    Director: Sahim Omar Kalifa
    Iraq

    Muhr Arab Short – Special Mention
    MAKAN YOUA’AD (A PLACE TO GO)
    Director: Wajdi Elian
    Lebanon

    Muhr Arab Short – Special Mention
    ZAFIR (BREATHE OUT)
    Director: Omar El Zohairy
    Egypt

    Muhr Emirati

    Muhr Emirati – First Prize
    AMAL (AMAL)
    Director: Nujoom Al Ghanem
    United Arab Emirates

    Muhr Emirati – Special Jury Prize
    CHILDREN (CHILDREN)
    Director: Mohammad Fikree
    United Arab Emirates

    Muhr Emirati – Second Prize
    AKHIR DECEMBER (END OF DECEMBER)
    Director: Hamad Al Hammadi
    United Arab Emirates

    Muhr Emirati – Special Mention
    LONDON IN A HEADSCARF (LONDON IN A HEADSCARF)
    Director: Mariam Al Serkal ,Mariam Al Serkal
    United Kingdom

    Muhr AsiaAfrica Feature

    Muhr AsiaAfrica Feature – Best Film
    TATSUMI (TATSUMI)
    Director: Eric Khoo
    Singapore

    Muhr AsiaAfrica Feature – Special Jury Prize
    BIR ZAMANLAR ANADOLU’DA (ONCE UPON A TIME IN ANATOLIA)
    Director: Nuri Bilge Ceylan
    Turkey

    Muhr AsiaAfrica Feature – Best Actor
    KITSUTSUKI TO AME (The WOODSMAN AND THE RAIN)
    Japan

    Muhr AsiaAfrica Feature – Best Actress
    TÂM H?N M? (MOTHER’S SOUL)
    Vietnam

    Muhr AsiaAfrica Feature – Best Scriptwriter
    KITSUTSUKI TO AME (The WOODSMAN AND THE RAIN)
    Scriptwriter: Shuichi Okita
    Japan

    Muhr AsiaAfrica Feature – Best Editor
    KITSUTSUKI TO AME (The WOODSMAN AND THE RAIN)
    Editor: Takashi Sato
    Japan

    Muhr AsiaAfrica Feature – Best Composer
    TATSUMI (TATSUMI)
    Composer: Christopher Khoo
    Singapore

    Muhr AsiaAfrica Feature – Best Cinematographer
    BIR ZAMANLAR ANADOLU’DA (ONCE UPON A TIME IN ANATOLIA)
    Cinematographer: Gökhan Tiryaki
    Turkey

    Muhr AsiaAfrica Feature – Special Mention
    NIKINI VASSA (AUGUST DRIZZLE)
    Actor / Actress: Chandani Senevirathne
    Sri Lanka

    Muhr AsiaAfrica Documentary

    Muhr AsiaAfrica Documentaries – First Prize
    IN FILM NIST (THIS IS NOT A FILM)
    Director: Jafar Panahi
    Iran

    Muhr AsiaAfrica Documentaries – Special Jury Prize
    NEGERI DI BAWAH KABUT (THE LAND BENEATH THE FOG)
    Director: Shalahuddin Siregar
    Indonesia

    Muhr AsiaAfrica Documentaries – Second Prize
    ENDING NOTE (DEATH OF A JAPANESE SALESMAN)
    Director: Mami Sunada
    Japan

    Muhr AsiaAfrica Documentary – Special Mention
    JAI BHIM COMRADE (JAI BHIM COMRADE)
    Director: Anand Patwardhan
    India

    Muhr AsiaAfrica Short

    Muhr AsiaAfrica Shorts – First Prize
    MO-DEON PAE-MIL-LI (MODERN FAMILY)
    South Korea

    Muhr AsiaAfrica Shorts – Special Jury Prize
    TINYE SO (TINYE SO)
    Director: Daouda Coulibaly
    Mali

    Muhr AsiaAfrica Shorts – Second Prize
    MEHFUZ (SAFE)
    Director: Rohit Pandey
    India

    FIPRESCI

    FIPRESCI Arab Feature
    HABIBI RASAK KHARBAN (HABIBI)
    Director: Susan Youssef
    Palestine, U.S.A., Netherlands, United Arab Emirates

    FIPRESCI Arab Documentary
    MARCEDES (MARCEDES)
    Director: Hady Zaccak
    Lebanon

    FIPRESCI Arab Short
    SUR LA ROUTE DU PARADIS (THE ROAD TO PARADISE)
    Director: Uda Benyamina
    France

    Human Rights Film Network

    HRFN
    SHOJI TO TAKAO (SHOJI & TAKAO)
    Director: Yoko Ide
    Japan

    People Choice Awards

    Du Peoples choice awards
    ALS DER WEIHNACHTSMANN VOM HIMMEL FIEL (WHEN SANTA FELL TO EARTH)
    Director: Oliver Dieckmann
    Germany

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  • 2010 Dubai International Film Festival Winners

    Director Nayla Al Khaja with award for her film: Bored

    The 2010 Dubai International Film Festival draw to a close over the weekend and handed out its annual Muhr Awards. This year the festival featured a line-up of 157 films from 57 countries, including 41 world premieres, 13 international premieres, 58 Middle East premieres and 32 Gulf premieres.

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  • Sean Penn Skips Dubai International Film Festival To Remain in Haiti With His Charity

    Actor Sean Penn did not attend the Dubai International Film Festival where he was to accept the DIFF Lifetime Achievement Award at the Festival’s opening ceremony on December 12, 2010. The actor reportedly remained in Haiti with his charity the J/P Haitian Relief Organization (J/P HRO), amid concerns for the charity’s staff in the wake of violent protests following the recent disputed presidential election

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  • Dubai International Film Festival to honor Actor Sean Penn with 2010 Lifetime Achievement Award

    The Dubai International Film Festival named American film icon and international social and political activist Sean Penn as its Western honoree for 2010. Penn, whose career spans nearly three decades, more than 45 films and notable successes as producer, director, actor and screenwriter, will accept the DIFF Lifetime Achievement Award at the Festival’s opening ceremony on December 12, 2010.

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  • Veteran African director Souleymane Cissé to receive DIFF 2010 Lifetime Achievement Award

    For the first time, DIFF is taking its flagship laurel to the heart of Africa with the recognition for Cissé, the Malian director and Cannes jury prize winner who has created compelling personal tales that reflect the spirit and diversity of the continent.

    Abdulhamid Juma, Chairman of Dubai International Film Festival, said: “Over the years, Africa has produced powerful films that portray the social, political and economic realities of the continent. Souleymane Cissé has been at the forefront of the renaissance of African cinema.”

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  • DIFF 2010 opens doors to film students across region

    DIFF-accredited students will be able to attend and participate in workshops, panel discussions, master classes, networking sessions and screenings in addition to receiving special access to the Festival’s specialist teams. All told, they will have the rare opportunity to go behind the scenes of the region’s leading film festival.

    Eligible students can register at the DIFF website, www.dubaifilmfest.com. All applications must be supported by a letter from their college or university or relevant faculty member.

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  • Dubai International Film Festival 2010 ‘In Focus’ shines spotlight on best of Mexican cinema

    The Festival’s annual ‘In Focus’ segment introduces regional audiences to the film, talent and narratives of nations with a history of excellence in cinema. With Mexico being responsible for some of Latin America’s best and most popular contemporary films, DIFF 2010’s In Focus: Mexico segment is expected to resonate not only with the region’s burgeoning Spanish-speaking population but with everyone who loves cinema.

    Masoud Amralla Al Ali, Artistic Director of the Dubai International Film Festival said: “From the 1940s through to the new wave, Mexican cinema has a celebrated history that is often overlooked today. We believe that the diversity, innovation and energy of Mexican cinema will inspire emerging and established filmmakers in the region, and we hope this special section will build a lasting bond between the region’s Spanish-speaking community and the Festival.”

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  • Dubai International Film Festival announces all-star drama ‘The King’s Speech’ as opening film for 7th edition

    Brand new all-star drama ‘The King’s Speech’ will open the seventh Dubai International Film Festival on December 12, 2010, continuing the Festival’s tradition of bringing the most anticipated and critically acclaimed global films to local and regional audiences.

    The film, based on the true story of King George VI and his struggle to lead Britain in the run up to World War II, features an award-winning cast led by Colin Firth (Bridget Jones Diary, A Single Man, Mamma Mia, Pride and Prejudice), Geoffrey Rush (Pirates of the Caribbean, Shakespeare in Love), Helena Bonham Carter (Fight Club, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street), Jennifer Ehle (Sunshine, Pride and Glory), Michael Gambon (Harry Potter, Gosford Park), Derek Jacobi (Gladiator), Guy Pearce (Memento) and Timothy Spall (Harry Potter). Members of the cast are expected to support the December 12 premiere at DIFF.

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  • Dubai International Film Festival 2010 to honour Arab icon Sabah with Lifetime Achievement Awa

    One of the Arab world’s most prolific and popular actresses and singers, Sabah has starred in more than 98 movies, including several timeless comedies and musicals and lighthearted fare; released 50 albums and amassed more than 3,500 songs in her repertoire; and acted in 20 stage plays.

    Renowned for her endearing performances, soaring voice and sparkling personality, Sabah – or ‘Al Shahroura’ (The Singing Bird) as she is known to her fans – continues to act and sing today, including a recent appearance in the pan-Arab talent show Star Academy.

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  • Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) 2010 unveils first Muhr Emirati film starring Jean Reno

    The Philosopher, a short film directed by Fujairah-born national Abdulla AlKaabi and starring A-list international screen and stage veteran Jean Reno of La Femme Nikita, Leon: The Professional and Mission: Impossible fame, will screen in Dubai as part of DIFF’s seventh edition taking place from December 12 to 19, 2010.

    Shot in Paris earlier this year with more than 80 cast and crew at a cost of €200,000, AlKaabi’s debut film features the cream of French cinema, including producer Cyril Deleye, who has worked alongside legendary directors Luc Besson and Roman Polanksi; executive producer Bernard Grenet of Danny the Dog, The Fifth Element and Taxi fame; and 81-year-old screenwriter Sylvette Baudrot, whose six-decade career includes working alongside Alfred Hitchcock.

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