Doha, Qatar: Films supported by the Doha Film Institute (DFI) made a resounding impact at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, securing eight prestigious accolades across various categories.
The DFI, known for its commitment to nurturing and promoting emerging filmmakers, rejoiced as these remarkable projects garnered recognition and acclaim on the international stage. “A wonderful achievement for the entire cast and crew of each of these unique films that deserve to be seen, celebrated and appreciated,” it said on its social media accounts.
Kamal Lazraq’s “Hounds” triumphed in the Un Certain Regard category, earning the esteemed Jury Prize. This is the director’s first feature film which was shot in Casablanca.
Another notable achievement came with Asmae El Moudir’s “The Mother of All Lies,” which clinched the Best Director Prize and the Golden Eye Prize for Best Documentary which was also shared by the film “Four Daughters.” The movie is a story about a Moroccan woman’s search for truth tangles with a web of lies in her family history.
Merve Dizdar received Best Performance by an Actress for her work in the film “About Dry Grasses,” directed by Nuri Bilge Ceylan. In the Cannes Critics Weeks section, DFI-backed films left an indelible mark. Amanda Nell Eu’s “Tiger Stripes” claimed the Grand Prize; Morad Mostafa’s “I Promise You Paradise” took home the coveted Rail d’Or for the best short film.
Amjad Al Rasheed’s “Inshallah A Boy” secured the Rail d’Or award for feature film; and Vladimir Perišić’s “Lost Country” also emerged victorious, with young Stefan bagging the Best Newcomer award.
“Tiger Stripes” became the first Malaysian film to win the Grand Prize at Cannes. The horror film has also accomplished a great deal because it has been 13 years since a Malaysian film was screened at the festival. “I Promise You Paradise” follows the story of Eissa, a 17-year-old African immigrant in Egypt who, after a violent accident, tries to race against time to save his loved ones at whatever cost.
“Inshallah A Boy” is the first-ever Jordanian feature selected at Cannes. Meanwhile, “Lost Country” which had its world debut at the festival is set in Serbia in 1996 and the movie unfolds during the student demonstrations against the Milosevic regime.
