The Egyptian film “Happy Birthday,” directed by Sarah Goher, won the Grand Prize at the 14th Dakhla International Film Festival, which was concluded on Wednesday.
Through a sensitive human drama, director Sarah Goher’s debut feature film, “Happy Birthday,” which won the Grand Prize at the Dakhla Festival, raises questions about the work of young women in a context of stark social inequalities.
The Jury Prize in the feature film competition was awarded to the Moroccan film “Bribes,” by directors Janane Fatine Mohammadi and Abdelilah Zirat. Actor Hilmi Dridi received the Best Actor Award for his role in the Tunisian film “Round 13,” while actress Kholoud Betioui, won the Best Actress Award for her role in “Bribes,” sharing the prize with Doha Ramadan, the star of “Happy Birthday.”
In the documentary category, the Grand Prize went to the Palestinian film “Bliatcho Gaza” by Abdelrahman Sabah, while the Jury Prize was awarded to the Ugandan film “Memories of Love Returned” by director Ntare Guma Mbaho.
The Jury also awarded a joint Special Mention to the films “Déchirure” by Fouad Souiba and “The Other… Raeburn” by David Pierre Fila, both from the Congo.
Another Special Mention was awarded to “The Departure” by Mohamed Fadel Joumani.
Nine feature films were in competition for the Dakhla Grand Prize, the Jury Prize, the Best Actress Award, and the Best Actor Award.
The jury for this competition was chaired by Malian filmmaker and thinker Manthia Diawara and also included Moroccan actress Nisrin Erradi, Nigerian director Aicha Macky, Norwegian film expert Anders Tangen, and Filipino director and producer Christian Paolo Lat.
A total of 19 films, representing 21 countries from Africa and the Middle East competed in the feature film and documentary categories.
The closing ceremony of the event, organised by the Association for Cultural and Artistic Activities of the Southern Provinces with the support of several partners, featured a tribute to prominent figures in the film industry, namely Moroccan actress Souad Khouyi, Egyptian screenwriter Medhat El-Adl, and Moroccan producer Fouad Challa.
AK/Sf/fss/gik/APA