The Egyptian film Asrar Al Banat (Girls Secrets) directed by Magdi Ali Ahmed won the golden award for the best film at Beirut fourth Film Festival for Arab and Middle Eastern Film Contest, according to news agencies.
Awards were handed out Wednesday evening at the concluding ceremony of the festival, which lasted one week during which 16 narrative films from 9 countries were screened.
At the Arab and Middle Eastern film contest which included eight films, the Turkish director Nouri Cylan won the silver award for his film May Clouds while the Iranian Ridha Mir Karimi won the bronze award for his film Under Moonlight.
The jury handed out the platinum award to the Syrian director Mohammed Malass who was honored by the festival by screening five of his films including Ahlam Al Madina (City Dreams), Al Leil (Night), Al Manam (Dream), Fawk Al Raml (Over Sand) and Tahet Al Shams (Under the Sun).
As part of the local short and documentary film competition which was held under the title “Lebanese Productions”, the best film award went to the film Nikaya Bil Harb (Despite War) by Zena Sfeir, the best direction award went to the film Shawarea’ Maliah Bil Shams (Streets Full of Sun) by Nicole Bazhian and the jury award went to the film Ahlam Al Manfa (Exile Dreams) by May Al Masri.
In a contest that was held beyond the jury’s jurisdictions, the audience poll on the international cinematography films, 8 participated, the festival opening film Arid Land by the Bosnian film Dennis Tanovetch won the award.
However, the terrorist attacks in Washington and New York on September 11 and their consequences led, according to the festival organizers, to the failing to attend of some experts who were anticipated to participate in the festival including the British writer Mark Sanders, Iranian directors Abbas Kiarostami and Bahman Fermnara and the French director Olivier Asias -- Albawaba.com
