Gulf directors honored at the IWC Filmmaker Awards

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Saudi director Haifaa Al-Mansour, right, is the sixth winner of the IWC Filmmaker Award dedicated to feature-length fiction film projects development by directors from the GCC. (Courtesy DIFF)
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The movers and shakers of the Gulf movie industry were in attendance during Thursday night’s glittering ceremony at the One&Only Royal Mirage hotel. (Arab News)
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The movers and shakers of the Gulf movie industry were in attendance during Thursday night’s glittering ceremony at the One&Only Royal Mirage hotel. (Arab News)
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The movers and shakers of the Gulf movie industry were in attendance during Thursday night’s glittering ceremony at the One&Only Royal Mirage hotel. (Arab News)
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The movers and shakers of the Gulf movie industry were in attendance during Thursday night’s glittering ceremony at the One&Only Royal Mirage hotel. (Arab News)
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The movers and shakers of the Gulf movie industry were in attendance during Thursday night’s glittering ceremony at the One&Only Royal Mirage hotel. (Arab News)
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The movers and shakers of the Gulf movie industry were in attendance during Thursday night’s glittering ceremony at the One&Only Royal Mirage hotel. (Arab News)
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The movers and shakers of the Gulf movie industry were in attendance during Thursday night’s glittering ceremony at the One&Only Royal Mirage hotel. (Arab News)
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The movers and shakers of the Gulf movie industry were in attendance during Thursday night’s glittering ceremony at the One&Only Royal Mirage hotel. (Arab News)
Updated 08 December 2017
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Gulf directors honored at the IWC Filmmaker Awards

DUBAI: From talking camels to abusive fathers, this year’s four shortlisted nominees for the IWC Filmmaker Award have chosen to deal with myriad characters and issues in their work, but the ultimate winner was named as Saudi director Haifaa Al-Mansour in a glittering ceremony at the One&Only Royal Mirage hotel in Dubai on Thursday night.

The award is sponsored by luxury Swiss watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen and takes place annually as part of the Dubai International Film Festival, which is set to run until Dec. 13 this year.

Al-Mansour walked away with a $100,000 cash prize and is the sixth winner of the award dedicated to feature-length fiction film projects development by directors from the GCC.

This year, the jury was presided over by Academy Award winner Cate Blanchett who walked the red carpet before the ceremony alongside IWC CEO Christoph Grainger-Herr, DIFF Chairman Abdulhamid Juma and DIFF Artistic Director Masoud Amralla Al-Ali.

Al-Mansour spoke to Arab News before the ceremony and shared insight on her nominated project, which is yet to be finalized, “Miss Camel.”

An endearing combination of strong will and humility, the friendly, down-to-earth film director shared her thoughts on what it means to be shortlisted for the awards.

“My film Miss Camel is a passion project, so I’m really excited to see it gaining momentum. It’s something I started developing a long time back and it’s about a subject close to my heart, female empowerment, so I hope to continue the journey with it,” she said.

The project is about a Saudi teen named Hayla “who will do anything to escape her arranged marriage and fulfill her goal of attending art school outside of Saudi Arabia,” according to its synopsis on the film festival’s website. “While scheming to make her way to the in-person interviews for the art college in a neighboring Gulf state, Hayla makes a startling discovery at her cousin’s wedding — she can talk to animals.”

Also nominated was Emirati filmmaker Nayla Al-Khaja with her yet-to-be-completed film “Animal,” in which she deals with mistreatment within families, focusing on a father who mentally abuses his family.

The film is set in a Dubai-based household “ruled by an unstable and cruel patriarch,” according to its synopsis on the film festival’s website. “The audience quickly grasps the tempestuous mood swings the other members of the home are forced to endure, and the extreme anxiety this can create.”

Omani filmmaker Muzna Al-Musafer has chosen to focus her storyline on a brothel dancer named Reem is her project, “The Crown of Olives.”

Meanwhile, Bahraini filmmaker Mohammad Rashed Buali touches on a delicate subject in his film “Kobmars,” about a man who sells underwear in a women’s lingerie shop.

In a statement, DIFF’s Artistic Director Masoud Amralla Al-Ali said that the award offers “both promising and established filmmakers” from the region to “take their vision from script to screen.”


Where We Are Going Today: Chicken Industry in Qatif

Updated 06 March 2026
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Where We Are Going Today: Chicken Industry in Qatif

If you were to ask me what the perfect weekend treat-yourself meal is, my first choice would be fried chicken, followed by fried chicken, followed by a burger (but make it fried chicken).

One of my favorite spots for this delicious indulgence is Chicken Industry in Qatif, which, over the past few years, has become a hometown classic.

They also opened another branch in Olaya, Alkhobar.

The great thing about Chicken Industry is that you really cannot go wrong with any item on their menu; the burgers, broasted, twister, tenders, and nuggets are all very well-seasoned, juicy, and crispy.

All their menu items are available in spicy and mild options.

They have a few burger selections.

The original chicken sandwich, which comes with American cheese, pickles, and their signature industry sauce (a must to get on the side with any order), is their take on the classic Popeyes/Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich.

For the big kahuna, the chicken is so juicy and flavorful with wonderfully crispy skin that my mouth is watering just thinking about it. (Instagram: @chickenindustry.ksa)

If you want to try a different type of sauce, you could give the black pepper buttermilk sandwich a go — a good option for those who like a balance of flavors between creamy and slightly zingy.

My go-to, however, is the chicken zinger, which comes with American cheese, mayonnaise, and lettuce — a no-fuss burger that has all the right toppings, sauce, and seasoning for the chicken.

Although, I would appreciate the option to add tomato as well for a little something fresh in there.

All of the Chicken Industry burgers come with a soft brioche bun. No notes; it’s a great bun.

The twister, made with two crispy tenders, is also a crowd favorite and comes in a few different options: the original with mild sauce, the fiery twister with spicy sauce, the classic with pepper mayo, and the spicy twister with pepper mayo as well.

Whether you do not want to commit to the full bun burger or just prefer a tortilla, the twister is a great option to either accompany or be the star of your meal.

Now onto the big kahuna: the broasted. If you really want to indulge, this is the option for you.

It comes with four pieces, either spicy or mild (trust me, get the spicy), and is served with garlic sauce on the side.

Although nothing compares to the Chicky Fry broasted, this one is a very close second. The chicken is so juicy and flavorful with wonderfully crispy skin; my mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Their nuggets are good, though not amazing — fun to snack on, but I wouldn’t call them a necessity and definitely not as good as their tenders or other options.

And I must say the Chicken Industry French fries could use some improvement; not the greatest texture or flavor, just sort of meh. I will continue to order them because at the end of the day, they are fries, and they’re alright. Besides, no fried chicken meal is complete without fries.

And do not forget to get the sauces on the side: the cheese, the garlic, the industry mild or spicy, buffalo, barbecue, and buttermilk, depending on your preference. They all complement the meal very well.