Rotana movies channel is starting the second Saudi Film Festival from today for eight weeks under the supervision of film directors Mamdouh Salem and Hana Al-Umair, and broadcaster Mujahid Omari.
“In the first show of the festival three short films and a documentary will be shown. The films have been selected by a jury: Writer Abdo Khal, Hana Al-Umair, film critic Fahd Al-Yahya, artist Abdullah Al-Sanani and I,” said Salem. There is also a competition going on between the festival films for which the jury will award points. Prizes are awarded to the best short feature film, best actor, best actress, best editing, best film, best cinematography, best screenplay, best documentary, best influences of art, best director, people’s choice award, and a jury prize.
“Films will be shown every day at 10 p.m. on Rotana TV channel, providing almost 35 Saudi short films, animated films and documentaries in those eight weeks,” Salem added.
“There are 24 short films participating in this year’s festival, we received eight documentaries, and three feature films. The main aim of the festival is to promote Saudi films and filmmakers to a large audience so they will have a chance to show their talent to the world,” said Salem.
Rotana film fest to promote Saudi cinema
Rotana film fest to promote Saudi cinema
Iraqi director nominated at Directors Guild of America Awards for ‘The President’s Cake’
DUBAI: Iraqi director Hasan Hadi this week received a Directors Guild of America Awards nomination for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in First-Time Theatrical Feature Film for his debut, “The President’s Cake.”
Set in 1990s Iraq, the film follows Lamia, a young girl tasked with preparing a birthday cake for the country’s leader — a mandatory assignment that places her under intense pressure. As she races to gather the ingredients, the stakes grow higher, with the threat of serious consequences if she fails.
Hadi’s film is shortlisted in the category alongside Eva Victor for “Sorry, Baby,” Alex Russell for “Lurker,” Charlie Polinger for “The Plague,” and Harry Lighton for “Pillion.”
Also in the running for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Theatrical Feature Film are Guillermo del Toro for “Frankenstein,” Chloe Zhao for “Hamnet,” Ryan Coogler for “Sinners,”Josh Safdie for “Marty Supreme,” and Paul Thomas Anderson for “One Battle After Another.”
“The President’s Cake” has also been shortlisted for the Academy Award for International Feature Film.
