Gulf Film Festival to present Special Recognition Award to Kuwaiti thespian Mohammed Almunai

The fourth edition of the Gulf Film Festival, organized under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), will honour Kuwaiti thespian Mohammed Almunai tomorrow with a Special Recognition Award for distinguished services to the Arab film industry. 

The 81-year-old cinema and theatre veteran is participating in the 2011 Festival as an actor in the Kuwait-Oman co-production Human Remains, a short film about a Kuwaiti Guantanamo Bay detainee and an American soldier who meet. The film, directed by Jassim Al Nofaly and Meshal Al Hulail, is included in the Festival’s Gulf short film competition. 

Almunai joins Emirati actress Mariam Sultan, Saudi director/producer Mohammad F. Gazzaz, and Kuwaiti producer/director Mohammad Al-Sanousi who are being honoured this year for their contribution to Arab cinema. They will be honoured at the closing ceremony today (Wednesday, April 20, 2011) at Dubai Festival City. 

Festival Director Masoud Amralla Al Ali said: “It is our privilege to honour Almunai, who has been an indispensable part of the theatre, television and film scene of Kuwait for the past several decades. He has served as an inspiration for several generations of Arab talent, who have drawn tremendous learning from his experience and commitment to the arts, and continues to do so today. His commitment to working with the young generation and lending his credibility, expertise and support to them is to be admired.” 

The 81-year-old thespian is a veteran of the Kuwaiti theatre scene, and is founding member of the Kuwait Theatre Group, formed in 1964. He has been the lead actor in more than 30 celebrated plays which have won acclaim across the Arab world. One of his award-winning plays was performed, due to public demand, in Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Syria. He has also performed in the UAE, USA, and UK. 

Proving his versatility in theatre, he acted in the first Kuwaiti feature film, Bas Ya Bahr, written by Abdul Rahman Al Salah with stars including Hayat AlFahad, Mohammed Al-Mansour and Ali Al Mofidi. He also played the lead in the film La Thaman Lal Watan (No Prize for Your Country) directed by Ghafel Fadel in 1991, and was nominated by the Kuwaiti Government to participate in the Cairo Film Festival. He has been the lead on several television series, including Al Wad, which celebrated Arab valour and the spirit of adventure, making him a household name across the region. 

GFF 2011 is being held at the InterContinental Hotel, Crowne Plaza and Grand Cinemas at Dubai Festival City. The Festival includes a Gulf competition, student competition, out-of-competition segments including children’s cinema, and other special events. All the 153 films from 31 nations screened at GFF 2011 until April 20 are free for entry for the public. 

The Gulf Film Festival box office is open from 10.30 am to 10 pm daily at the Grand Cinemas Dubai Festival City. All patrons are welcome to up to two tickets per person on a first-come, first-served basis. The full schedule of films is also available online. 

The Gulf Film Festival is supported by Dubai Culture & Arts Authority and is held in association with Dubai Studio City.