2 ½’, ‘Zelal’ and ‘Transit Cities’ win FIPRESCI ‘Prize of the International Critics’ at DIFF

Dubai, UAE; December 18, 2010: The seventh Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) has announced the winners of the International Federation of Film Critics’ (FIPRESCI) annual ‘Prize of the International Critics’ for the Arab feature, documentary, and short films screened in the Muhr Arab award competition at the festival.

The winners are: ‘2 ½’ directed by Elie Kamal (Lebanon); ‘Zelal’ by Marianne Khoury and Mustapha Hasnaoui (Egypt/France/Morocco/UAE) and ‘Mudon Al Tranzit – Transit Cities’ by Mohammed Al Hushki (Jordan) in the shorts, documentary and feature film categories, respectively.

The feature and short films were evaluated by a jury headed by film critic Andrzej Werner and comprising film critics Gulbara Tolomushova and Mohammed Rouda, while the jury for documentary films was headed by film critic Magda Mihailescu, along with Leo Soesanto and Hala El Mawy.

FIPRESCI is the foremost body of film writers, academics and critics from over 60 countries. The organisation has partnered with DIFF to encourage emerging talent and promote Arab cinema globally. In all, 12 feature films, 15 short films and 13 documentaries, competing for the Muhr Arab awards, were evaluated for the prize.

Masoud Amralla Al Ali, Artistic Director, Dubai International Film Festival, said: “For decades, FIPRESCI has partnered with international film festivals the world over to nurture and promote the growth of emerging talent. It is an honour for DIFF to partner with FIPRESCI and help provide a window of opportunity for the Arab film industry to reach out to an international audience.”

DIFF 2010 box office locations are: CineStar Mall of the Emirates, the Madinat Souk, The Walk at JBR, and at the CNN Building in Dubai Media City. Tickets can also be purchased through DIFF’s Dial-a-Ticket service at (04) 391 3378 and from the website, www.dubaifilmfest.com.

DIFF 2010 is held in association with Dubai Studio City. Dubai Duty Free, Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai Pearl, Emirates Airline and Madinat Jumeirah, the home of the Dubai International Film Festival, are the principal sponsors of DIFF. The event is supported by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority.