Latest news with #Clermont-FerrandInternationalShortFilmFestival
CairoScene
12-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Saudi Cinema Association & Ithra Unveil Saudi Film Festival Highlights
This year's festival will feature 68 screenings, including 36 feature, short, and documentary films from Saudi and the Gulf region, all woven together by the unifying theme of 'Cinema of Identity'. The Saudi Cinema Association and the King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture (Ithra) have unveiled the highlights for the 11th edition of the Saudi Film Festival, the longest-running festival of its kind in the Kingdom. Scheduled to take place from April 17th to the 23rd, the festival is supported by the Film Commission and will showcase 68 screenings, including 36 feature, short, and documentary films from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region. Under the theme 'Cinema of Identity', films screened at Saudi Film Festival will delve into themes of individual, national and diverse cultural identities, exploring their complexities and transformations. This year, the festival expands its global footprint by featuring 12 short films from Arab and international filmmakers, presented in collaboration with the world-renowned Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival in France. Additionally, in partnership with Japan's Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia, audiences can experience screenings of eight Japanese feature and short films, accompanied by discussions with Japanese filmmakers. 'Many of these films will screen for the first time at the festival,' notes Vice President of Saudi Film Festival, Mansour Al-Badran. Beyond screenings, the festival's program will feature a cultural symposium, delving into themes of individual, national, and diverse cultural identities, exploring their complexities and transformations. Returning this year is the festival's Production Market, which will showcase 22 projects from 22 different exhibitors in Ithra's Great Hall. Unlike production markets at other international festivals, this one is exclusively dedicated to the Saudi film industry, offering unique opportunities for filmmakers to connect with industry professionals. 'Ithra has increased the number of screens to ensure greater accessibility to the films,' Al-Badran added. As in previous years, the festival will continue to incorporate script-development workshops for short and feature-length screenplays, including advisory sessions with industry mentors. 'The Festival acts as an exceptional platform for filmmakers to present their cinematic creativity and bring their stories to audiences,' Ahmed Al-Mulla, Saudi Film Festival Director, said. 'It offers a diverse selection of films and programmes focusing on successful production experiences in the cinematic landscape, allowing attendees to engage with and learn from industry professionals.' The festival will culminate in an awards ceremony, recognising excellence across multiple categories. A total of 285 films have been submitted for the film awards, 116 for the production and market competition and 313 scripts for the unproduced screenplay competition.
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.
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.
