DOHA: A short film on a young man obsessed with his mobile phone won the Made in Qatar Award announced yesterday at the Ajyal Youth Film Festival.
10%, directed by Yousef Al Moadhadi, won the award for “the simplicity of its central idea coupled with its excellent techniques in cinematography, direction and presentation.” It received $5,000 from Ajyal Film Fund.
The winning film was chosen from 20 films being screened at the festival, and directed by Qataris or residents, by a jury of arts professionals from the Gulf - Hala Al Khalifa, Mohammed Saeed Harib and Saad Borshid.
The jury also made special mention of Hind’s Dream by Suzannah Mirghani for “its artistic vision and poetic screenwriting;” Qarar by Ali Al Anssari for “its consummate technical proficiency in cinematography, direction, acting and special effects;” and Takrir by Ghassan Kairouz for the “excellence of its concept and execution and the beauty of its presentation.” For excellence in performance, the jury acknowledged actors Mohammad Al Hamadi in Hind Al Ansari’s Amreeka Laa!, Mohammed Al Syari in 10% and Sally Al Mansori in Qarar.
The Made in Qatar programme included short films made as part of collaboration between Doha Film Institute and Seha, the National Health Insurance Scheme for Qatar, through which the directors have made films about Qatar’s tradition of care.
There were also seven independent productions and six winners from the Tarsheed Short Filmmaking Competition organised in collaboration with Kahramaa in celebration of Earth Day 2014 to raise awareness about conservation Short film 10% wins Made in Qatar Award of water and electricity.
THE PENINSULA
