Latest news with #AugustFilms
Egypt Today
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Egypt Today
'Thank You for Banking With Us' Wins Two Awards at Malmö and Beirut Festivals
'Thank You for Banking With Us' won two awards from Lebanon and Sweden. It received the Best Feature Film Award, as part of the International Competition of the 8th Beirut International Women Film Festival. Additionally, it won the Best Script Award for writer and director Laila Abbas at the 15th Malmö Arab Film Festival in Sweden. Producer Shahinaz Al-Akkad, who co-produced and distributed the film, expressed her gladness for winning two awards from major festivals in Lebanon and Sweden, as well as receiving positive feedback during its latest screenings in multiple countries, such as Egypt, KSA, and the UAE. It has also participated in several festivals across the world. She added, 'I was glad to take part in this work, for it presents a deeply personal story with a global impact. Basically, it sheds light on the inequality that women face in light of multiple legal systems. It is found all over the world. Indeed, this is the role of cinema; it presents these arguments in a special language to reach the whole world. That's why the film achieved numerous successes in the festivals in which it was screened'. Recently, the film won multiple awards, including: Best Feature Film in the Ajyal Jury Competition, and Silver Alexander Award from Thessaloniki Film Festival in Greece, as Best Director in 'Meet the Neighbors' Competition. Moreover, it received the Best Arab Feature Film Award, along with "Who Do I Belong To", at El Gouna Film Festival. "Thank You for Banking With Us" is written and directed by Laila Abbas, starring Yasmine Al-Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El-Basha, Ashraf Barhoum, and Adam Khattar. It tells the story of two sisters whose father passes away leaving a large sum of money. Together, they try to reach a perfect plan to escape with the money before their brother figures it out, as he is legally entitled to receive half of the inheritance. The film is a co-production between Shahinaz Al-Akkad's Lagoonie Film Productions, Palestine Cinema Days founder and artistic director Hanna Atallah and Ronza Kamel, through August Films, as well as Roshanak Behesht Nedjad's In Good Company Films.
Broadcast Pro
12-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Palestinian film ‘Upshot' wins Audience Award at Clermont-Ferrand Festival
The film is a joint production between Palestine, Italy and France. Palestinian filmmaker Maha Haj's short film Upshot has won the International Audience Award at the 47th Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival. Upshot has already garnered critical acclaim, winning the Golden Pardino at the 77th Locarno Film Festival and the Golden Star at the seventh El Gouna Film Festival. Set against the backdrop of ongoing turmoil in Gaza, the film follows Suleiman and Lubna, a grieving couple who retreat to a secluded, misty farm to escape their pain. Their fragile sense of solace is disrupted by an unexpected visitor who forces them to confront a harrowing truth from their past. Commenting on her featurette, Haj said: 'Upshot is both a lamentation and a testament to the indomitable power of the human spirit. There are no easy answers, no political solutions to assuage the anguish of parents who have lost everything. And so, it unfolds in a realm unbound by time or place — a poignant reflection of the irreparable loss that defies earthly confines.' A Palestinian-French-Italian co-production, Upshot features Palestinian actors Mohammed Bakri, Areen Omari and Amer Hlehel. The cinematography is helmed by Augustin Bonnet, with Veronique Lange handling editing and Saher Dwairy leading production design. The film is produced by August Films in collaboration with Hanna Atallah and Ronza Kamel. Worldwide distribution is managed by MAD World, with MAD Distribution overseeing its release in Arabic-speaking territories. Haj, who has a background in English and Arabic literature, made her directorial debut with the short film Oranges, followed by the documentary Behind These Walls. With Upshot, she continues to craft deeply evocative narratives that explore themes of loss and resilience.
Broadcast Pro
31-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Palestinian film ‘Upshot' competes at Clermont-Ferrand film festival
The film is a joint production between Palestine, Italy and France. Palestinian filmmaker Maha Haj's short film Upshot has been selected for the International Competition at the 47th Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival in France. The festival, running from January 31 to February 8, will see Haj in attendance as her latest work competes among top international entries. Upshot has already garnered critical acclaim, winning the Golden Pardino at the 77th Locarno Film Festival and the Golden Star at the seventh El Gouna Film Festival. Set against the backdrop of ongoing turmoil in Gaza, the film follows Suleiman and Lubna, a grieving couple who retreat to a secluded, misty farm to escape their pain. Their fragile sense of solace is disrupted by an unexpected visitor who forces them to confront a harrowing truth from their past. Commenting on her featurette, Haj said: ' Upshot is both a lamentation and a testament to the indomitable power of the human spirit. There are no easy answers, no political solutions to assuage the anguish of parents who have lost everything. And so, it unfolds in a realm unbound by time or place — a poignant reflection of the irreparable loss that defies earthly confines.' A Palestinian-French-Italian co-production, Upshot features Palestinian actors Mohammed Bakri, Areen Omari and Amer Hlehel. The cinematography is helmed by Augustin Bonnet, with Veronique Lange handling editing and Saher Dwairy leading production design. The film is produced by August Films in collaboration with Hanna Atallah and Ronza Kamel. Worldwide distribution is managed by MAD World, with MAD Distribution overseeing its release in Arabic-speaking territories. Haj, who has a background in English and Arabic literature, made her directorial debut with the short film Oranges , followed by the documentary Behind These Walls . With Upshot , she continues to craft deeply evocative narratives that explore themes of loss and resilience. The Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival will take place from January 31 to February 8.
Egypt Today
31-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Egypt Today
Palestinian director Maha Haj's thrilling short UPSHOT competes at Clermont
UPSHOT, an award-winning short title by Palestinian director Maha Haj, is set to feature in the International Competition of this year's Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival in France, with the director herself set to be in attendance. The 47th edition of the esteemed festival is taking place from January the 31st till February the 8th. The film recently won top prizes at both the 77th Locarno Film Festival, as well as the seventh El Gouna Film Festival; a Golden Pardino and a Golden Star, respectively. Set against the backdrop of Gaza's enduring strife, UPSHOT tells the story of Suleiman and Lubna — a couple who retreat to a mist-shrouded, isolated farm as they try to cope with unspeakable loss. Withdrawn from the world, their carefully constructed fantasy life is jeopardized by an uninvited guest who brings forth a devastating revelation from their past, challenging the delicate fabric of their reality. With UPSHOT, Maja Jah weaves a world where her characters can escape pain and loss. Commenting on her featurette, Haj said 'UPSHOT is both a lamentation and a testament to the indomitable power of the human spirit. There are no easy answers, no political solutions to assuage the anguish of parents who have lost everything. And so, it unfolds in a realm unbound by time or place — a poignant reflection of the irreparable loss that defies earthly confines.' A Palestinian-French-Italian co-production, UPSHOT stars renowned Palestinian actors Mohammed Bakri, Areen Omari, and Amer Hlehel. It is lensed by Augustin Bonnet, and edited by Veronique Lange, with production design handled by Saher Dwairy. It is produced by Ramallah-based company August Films in tandem with Hanna Atallah and Ronza Kamel, who have recently worked on the award-winning title THANK YOU FOR BANKING WITH US.
