The Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) celebrated the success of Paul Andrew Williams’ film, ‘Dragonfly’, which won the prestigious top prize of $7,000. The award was presented during a ceremony at the Cairo Opera House, where an international jury led by renowned Turkish filmmaker Nuri Bilge Ceylan praised the film as a “profound exploration of solitude.” The narrative centers on the developing friendship between two women, sparked by one woman’s decision to care for her elderly neighbor.
In addition to the main award, the festival recognized exceptional performances, with Andrea Riseborough and Brenda Blethyn sharing the best actress award for their roles in the film. This recognition follows the film’s premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in June, marking a significant moment in Williams’ career.
Acknowledging Diverse Talents at CIFF
The festival also awarded significant honors to other films, showcasing a diverse array of talent. ‘The Last Days of the City’, directed by Tarzan and Arab Nasser, received three major accolades: the Silver Pyramid for best director, accompanied by a $5,000 cash prize, best actor for Majd Eid, and best Arab feature, which includes a $10,000 award from Watch It.
In a noteworthy highlight, the Bronze Pyramid Special Jury Award, along with a $3,000 cash prize, went to ‘A Car Called EGO’, directed by Turkish filmmaker Şeyhmus Altun. Meanwhile, Mathieu Giombin received the Henry Barakat Award for best artistic contribution in cinematography for ‘The Last Breath’, directed by Bangladeshi filmmaker Mahde Hasan.
The Naguib Mahfouz Award for best screenplay was awarded to Alireza Khatami for ‘The Last Days of the City’, while Iraqi filmmaker Zahraa Ghandour received a special mention from the Best Arab Film Jury for her documentary ‘Iraqi Women’. Lebanese filmmaker Sarah Francis’ earned the title of best Arab film in the Horizons of Arab Cinema competition, winning the Saad Eldin Wahba Award valued at $10,000.
Special Recognitions and Future Initiatives
The festival concluded with a series of tributes, including the best performance award in the Horizons competition, awarded to Afaf Ben Mahmoud, a Tunisian actress, for her portrayal in ‘The Last Breath’ by Mohamed Ali Nahdi. The best script award, worth $5,000, went to ‘The Last Days of the City’ by Egyptian filmmaker Yasser Shafie.
The Salah Abu Seif Jury Prize, valued at $8,000, was won by Saudi documentary ‘The Last Breath’ by Ali Saeed. The Youssef Sherif Rizkallah Audience Award, worth $15,000 and supported by Cred, was awarded to ‘The Free Gaza Circus’, a documentary by Mai Saad and Ahmed Al Danaf. Additionally, the best documentary award went to ‘In the Heart of the Sea’, directed by Lebanese filmmaker Nicholas Khoury.
The festival also featured a heartfelt tribute to Hind Rajab, a six-year-old Palestinian girl, who was the subject of the closing film. CIFF president Hussein Fahmy emphasized cinema’s power to share impactful stories and amplify the voices of the marginalized. He reiterated CIFF’s commitment to creating opportunities for Arab filmmakers to present their narratives on the global stage.
In a significant strategic move, CIFF announced a cooperation agreement with Qatar’s Film Commission at Doha Media City. This initiative aims to foster co-productions, talent platforms, and international distribution for Arab cinema, further enhancing the region’s cinematic landscape.
The closing ceremony featured major tributes, including a lifetime achievement award presented to acclaimed Chinese director Guan Hu. The Golden Pyramid honorary award for lifetime achievement was awarded to Hungarian filmmaker Ildikó Enyedi, whose film had captivated audiences the previous night. Festival president Fahmy also honored his longtime friend, renowned Egyptian cinematographer Mahmoud Abdel Samie, with a Golden Pyramid honorary award for lifetime achievement.
CIFF continues to bolster its reputation as a vital platform for filmmakers, fostering talent and celebrating the rich tapestry of stories from the Arab world and beyond.
