Latest news with #IraqInternationalFilmFestivalforYouthFilms
Broadcast Pro
20-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
MAD Solutions brings 19 short films to Iraq International Film Festival
The Iraq International Film Festival for Youth Films serves as a platform for emerging filmmakers, bringing powerful stories to audiences in Baghdad and beyond. MAD Solutions has selected 19 short films from its distribution slate to participate in the first edition of the Iraq International Film Festival for Youth Films, taking place in Baghdad from February 19 to 22. The lineup includes a diverse mix of dramas, thrillers and social comedies that highlight storytelling from across the Arab world, with films from Egypt, Palestine, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Sudan, Algeria and Tunisia. Among the selected titles is A Promise to the Sea by Hend Sohail, which follows Zein, a man who impulsively steals his mother's corpse during her funeral preparations. As he flees his hometown, an encounter on the highway alters his fate forever. Born a Celebrity by Luay Awwad tells the story of Kamel, a young Palestinian who feels trapped in his small town and embarks on a journey of self-discovery and independence. Sudan's 2018 revolution serves as the backdrop for Yasser Faiz's Bougainvillea , which follows six women imprisoned during the uprising. Palestinian director Moatasem Taha presents In the Waiting Room , which centres on Hussein, a Palestinian Arab with Israeli citizenship, as he accompanies his grieving mother to a hospital appointment. While they wait, she attempts to engage with the other patients despite her limited Hebrew. Madonna by John Fareed Zaki follows the theft of an Italian painter's artefact, which reignites an old conflict between two Jesuit priests, leading to a complex investigation. Other films in the lineup explore themes of displacement, history and human resilience. Rami Al-Kassab's Loss , based on true events, follows a group of migrants travelling through the Egyptian desert, only to experience a devastating loss along the way. Nya by Imene Ayadi is set during the Algerian Civil War and follows a young girl awaiting her father's return while her country is torn apart by conflict. Vibrations from Gaza by Rehab Nazzal offers a rare glimpse into the lives of deaf children in Gaza, capturing their experiences under occupation through their unique perspectives. Amani Jaafer's A Lullaby Unlike Any Other follows a Palestinian student in Sweden as she walks through Stockholm, haunted by memories of home, family, and the trauma of occupation. Meanwhile, Mohammad Gotta's Where Have You Been? tells the story of a young artist who isolates himself in his studio apartment but forms an unexpected bond with an elderly neighbour who has been abandoned by her family. Family ties and personal struggles take centre stage in One Last Wish by Areeb Zuaiter, which follows Serine as she embarks on a journey to reunite with her ailing grandmother. Hussen Ibraheem's Manity captures the experience of an 11-year-old boy on a bird-hunting trip in the Lebanese mountains, which turns into an unforgettable adventure. Palestine Islands by Nour Ben Salem and Julien Menanteau follows a young refugee girl who devises an elaborate ruse to make her blind grandfather believe the separation wall has fallen, restoring his hope of returning home. Saudi filmmaker Hayder Dawood presents The Last Winter , which follows Mohsen as he reunites with his friend Hayder in Sweden, reflecting on their shared homeland. Hussein Hijazi's Legacy tells the story of Rabih, a man racing against time to secure urgent medical care for his father in a country where corruption has drained citizens' savings. Identity and self-perception are explored in In Between by Ethar Baamer, where a young woman grapples with societal expectations and experiments with different versions of herself. In 1420 by Arwa Salem, the lives of a visually impaired woman and an extremist man intertwine, shaping the future of their daughter. The Poem We Sang by Annie Sakkab revisits the nearly lost Palestinian anthem We Are a Proud Nation , preserving its legacy of resistance and pride. Closing the lineup is By the Sea by Wisam Al-Jafari, which follows Nahid as she attempts to celebrate her husband's birthday while he is on the run from Israeli soldiers, facing difficulties due to the COVID-19 lockdown.
Al Bawaba
20-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Bawaba
MAD Solutions to send 19 shorts to Iraq International Film Festival for Youth Films
With an impressive selection of 19 short films from its extensive distribution slate, MAD Solutions is set to have a strong presence at the inaugural Iraq International Film Festival for Youth Films, taking place from February 19th to 22nd in Baghdad. This diverse lineup features dramas, thrillers, and social comedies that tell stories from across the Arab World, including three films from Egypt, five from Palestine, three from Jordan, three from Saudi Arabia, two from Lebanon, and one each from Sudan, Algeria, and Tunisia. Here are the 19 MAD shorts participating in the festival: ● Hend Sohail's A PROMISE TO THE SEA follows Zein, who, after irrationally deciding to steal his mother's corpse during the funeral preparations, recklessly drives far from his humble hometown and hits the highway, where he encounters a situation that will change his life forever. ● Luay Awwad's BORN A CELEBRITY follows Kamel, a 25-year-old Palestinian who feels confined in his small Palestinian town and close-knit community and embarks on a journey to discover his personal freedom and privacy. ● Yasser Faiz's BOUGAINVILLEA is set against the backdrop of Sudan's 2018 revolution and tells the poignant story of six women imprisoned during the revolution. ● Moatasem Taha's IN THE WAITING ROOM follows Hussein — a 30-year-old Palestinian Arab with Israeli citizenship — who escorts his freshly bereaved 70-year-old mother, Rashida, to her medical appointment in an Israeli hospital. As they wait for their turn, Rashida, who hasn't left her house in three months, tries to socialize with the other patients in her limited Hebrew. ● John Fareed Zaki's MADONNA revolves around the theft of an Italian painter's artifact, reigniting an old conflict between two Jesuit priests. When an investigation is launched, all suspicions fall on the monastery's chef. However, a confession is eventually made, and the real perpetrator is uncovered. ● Rami Al-Kassab's LOSS, which is based on true events, follows a group of migrants as they journey into Egypt on the back of a pickup truck. En route, in the middle of the desert, they suffer a significant and harrowing loss. ● Imene Ayadi's NYA is set during the Algerian Civil War and follows Anya, a carefree little girl who is blissfully unaware of the war tearing the country apart. Her one wish is that her father, a journalist on a mission, returns home in time for Mouloud celebrations. The troubles of reality seep into her life, however, causing her innocence to waver. ● Rehab Nazzal's VIBRATIONS FROM GAZA offers a glimpse into the lives of deaf children in the besieged and occupied Gaza Strip. Through the voices of children who have grown up under the relentless blockade and repeated Israeli aggression, it vividly conveys how they experience the bombings, destruction, and drone buzz overhead. ● Amani Jaafer's A LULLABY UNLIKE ANY OTHER follows Nour, a young Palestinian woman pursuing her studies in Sweden. She wanders the streets of Stockholm recalling distant memories; retracing her steps, she reminisces over the trauma inflicted by the occupation, the memories of her family, and a lullaby long since lost. ● Mohammad Gotta's WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? follows a young artist in his twenties who abandons his family, refusing to submit to social constraints. Depressed, lonely, and stuck in his small derelict studio flat, he stumbles upon his elderly neighbor, a woman neglected by her family and in need of intimacy. Despite their differences, the two develop an unlikely connection through their shared experiences of hardship and love of music. ● Areeb Zuaiter's ONE LAST WISH revolves around Serine, whose coaching skills are deeply influenced by her grandmother, Salma, who holds a special place in her heart despite the physical distance. Upon receiving distressing news of Salma's illness, Serine embarks on a long journey to reunite with her. Upon arrival, she realizes that while understanding her grandmother's wishes is tough, accomplishing them proves even more daunting. ● Hussen Ibraheem's MANITY is set on a sunny day when Firas — an 11-year-old boy — accompanies his father Tayseer and his father's friend Rayan on a bird-hunting jaunt in the Lebanese mountainside. What is supposed to be a calm hunting trip turns into an unforgettable experience. ● Nour Ben Salem and Julien Menanteau's PALESTINE ISLANDS follows a young Palestinian refugee girl who plans an elaborate ruse to make her blind grandfather believe the separation wall fell, giving him hope of returning to his homeland. ● Hayder Dawood's Saudi short THE LAST WINTER follows Mohsen, who returns to visit his friend Hayder four years after his initial journey to Sweden, while being filled with a deep longing for their shared homeland of Saudi Arabia. As they navigate through Hayder's final winter there, their friendship grows stronger, becoming a source of support and comfort amid a backdrop of longing and change. ● Hussein Hijazi's LEGACY takes place in a troubled country where politicians have drained people's savings; Rabih faces a crisis when his father needs urgent medical care. With time running out and money scarce, Rabih races against the odds to save his father's life. ● Ethar Baamer's IN BETWEEN follows a young woman struggling to find her true self. Overwhelmed by societal expectations that dictate how she should look and who she should be, the central character responds by separating into multiple versions of herself, trying on different identities. ● Arwa Salem's 1420 follows the story of Samia, who loses her vision and finds solace in music, and Salem, who embraces extremism. When their marriage encounters a significant obstacle, it ultimately impacts their daughter Worood. ● Annie Sakkab's THE POEM WE SANG delves into the history behind We Are a Proud Nation, a nearly lost anthem of Palestinian pride and resistance. ● Wisam Al-Jafari's BY THE SEA follows Nahid, who wants to celebrate her husband's birthday while he is on the run from Israeli soldiers; however, due to the COVID-19 lockdown, it is really difficult for Nahid to get all the ingredients needed to bake the birthday cake. Will Nahid be able to celebrate her husband's birthday with him in their secret hideout?
Iraqi News
11-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Iraqi News
Iraq inaugurates its largest cinema hall
Baghdad ( – In a landmark event for Iraq's entertainment industry, Minister of Youth and Sports Ahmed al-Mubarqa officially inaugurated Iraq's largest cinema hall, MAX, at Al-Jadriya Mall in Baghdad. The grand opening, held on Saturday evening, was attended by government officials, diplomats, and prominent figures from the film industry, marking a significant step toward the revival of Iraqi cinema. A vision for a thriving Iraqi film industry During his speech, Minister al-Mubarqa emphasized the government's commitment to supporting filmmakers and revitalizing Iraq's cinematic culture. He highlighted the role of modern cinema halls in creating opportunities for artists, expanding film distribution, and fostering a new generation of Iraqi filmmakers. Iraqi Minister of Youth and Sports Ahmed al-Mubarqa Photo by: Iraqi Cinema 'This cinema is a testament to Iraq's cultural revival and a symbol of stability and progress. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani has shown unwavering support for artists and filmmakers, ensuring that Iraq's film industry regains its former glory.' The minister also praised the owners and operators of the MAX cinema hall, encouraging further investment in cultural and entertainment spaces that contribute to Iraq's social and artistic development. Building the future of Iraqi cinema The Iraqi Ministry of Youth and Sports has been actively involved in nurturing young filmmakers. Over the past two years, the ministry has: Established the digital school for youth content creation , a specialized academy aimed at training aspiring filmmakers. , a specialized academy aimed at training aspiring filmmakers. Organized film production workshops across several provinces , identifying and fostering young artistic talents. , identifying and fostering young artistic talents. Supported the production of 12 short films, created by young Iraqi filmmakers, some of which were independently produced by emerging directors. 'These workshops have unveiled remarkable talent among Iraqi youth. Some of these films will be showcased at the Iraq International Film Festival for Youth Films, offering young directors a platform to present their work to wider audiences.' Iraq's largest cinema hall ceremony Photo by: Iraqi Cinema A cultural renaissance in Baghdad The inauguration of MAX cinema is seen as a turning point for Baghdad's entertainment landscape, providing state-of-the-art screening technology and an enhanced cinematic experience for Iraqi audiences. As Iraq continues to invest in creative industries and cultural infrastructure, events like this signal a promising future for the country's film industry, offering a new space for storytelling, artistic expression, and international collaborations. With strong government backing and growing interest from investors, Iraq is on the path to rebuilding its film industry, creating a thriving cinema culture that celebrates local talent and connects with global audiences.
