Samsung SHRT FLM CNTST announces winners at DIFF 2015

The winner and runners-up of the Samsung SHRT FLM CNTST were announced as part of a glittering awards ceremony on the closing day of the 12^th Dubai International Film Festival on 16 December.

Winning a trip to the 69^th Cannes International Film Festival in France in May 2016, and a spot for his film in the festival’s Short Film Corner, was Dorukhan Turan for his short The Act. Thamar Mon was named first runner-up for his film ‘72KG’ and Salman Ahmad received the third prize for his film ‘Salesman of the Year’.

Commenting at the event, Ali Ahmed, Head of Brand Management at Samsung Gulf Electronics, said: “Young people across the Emirates are telling creative and inspiring stories every day, and the Samsung SHRT FLM CNTST encouraged them to push the limits of their imaginations and share those stories with the world. Their incredible skill speaks volumes about the wealth of unseen talent in this region. With DIFF as our partner, we hope to see many more artists open their world to new possibilities through technology, like the young people here today.”

The Samsung SHRT FLM CNTST was launched in 2014 to support the aspirations of the UAE’s creative minds, and saw phenomenal interest in its inaugural year, sending two accomplished filmmakers to the renowned Cannes International Film Festival. The contest calls on all aspiring filmmakers, art students and film fans to get creative and submit films of any style or genre for a chance to win and have their creation screened at the Short Film Corner at Cannes Film Festival in 2016.

The Samsung SHRT FLM CNTST has offered twenty-five people the chance to hone their craft with guidance from Emirati director Nayla Al Khaja, Samsung and the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF). Eight films were shortlisted to compete for the prestigious prices, with Dorukhan Turan winning the first prize for his short film titled The Act.