The annual Muhr Awards rewarded the regions best filmmakers for their work in the industry at the Dubai International Film Festivals 11th edition. The Muhr Awards were presented to recipients by His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum during a glittering ceremony at the Burj Al Arab. Categories in this years Awards are […]
The annual Muhr Awards rewarded the regions best filmmakers for their work in the industry at the Dubai International Film Festivals 11th edition. The Muhr Awards were presented to recipients by His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum during a glittering ceremony at the Burj Al Arab.
Categories in this years Awards are the Muhr Feature (for non-fiction and fiction feature films); the Muhr Emirati and Muhr Shorts. An array of competitive entries were received, making judging the films tougher than ever.
The ceremony started by announcing the winner of the inaugural Ministry of Interior Award for Best Societal Screenplay, which goes to Emirati filmmaker Saeed Salmeen Al Murry for his project Going to Heaven. The inaugural Award will bestow a prize of $100,000 for Al Murrys screenplay which this year addressed issues of child welfare.
Abdulhamid Juma, Chairman, DIFF, said: The past 11 years have brought out the best in the regions filmmakers, whose work continues to evolve in leaps and bounds every year. Our aim at DIFF has always been to foster talent, encourage creativity and build the UAE and the regional film industry. I can proudly say that we have taken huge strides towards constructing this successful industry, which flourishes more and more every year. This is exemplified by the increasing number, and incredible standard, of works that are entered into these Awards.
I am also proud of the number of films and filmmakers who are being nominated for and successfully winning international awards and accolades. This shows how the world is recognising the wealth that Arab cinema has to offer.
The Awards were established in 2006, to foster and reward artistic excellence from within the Arab world and beyond. The coveted prize award funds that have been used to create some of the globes most unique films.
DIFF Artistic Director Masoud Amralla Al Ali, said: The breadth and depth of the films being made here continue to astound me. Our filmmakers are not bound by the creative constraints of international markets, meaning their cinematic artistry isnt fenced in. We at DIFF are proud that we have nurtured and supported such amazing works.
