DUBAI // The curtain fell on the Dubai International Film Festival last night and Zindeeq, Michel Khlefi's story of a Palestinian filmmaker, won the award for best feature film in the Arab category, and Brillante Mendoza's Lola was selected as best feature film in the Asia/Africa category at the closing ceremonies.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, made an appearance at the ceremony along with Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid, the chairman of the Dubai Art and Culture Authority.
Said Bey won best actor for The Man Who Sold The World, and the best actress was Nisreen Faour for Amreeka. Other Muhr Arab awards included best screenplay, Mariam Naoum for Wahed-Sifr (One-Zero) from Egypt; best editor, Ahmed Dawood for Asafeer al Neel (The Nile Birds) from Egypt; best composer to Le Trio Joubran for Adieu Gary, from France; and best cinematographer to Nancy Abdel Fattah for Wahed-Sifr.
Muhr is Arabic for young horse, and the design of the award statues, a horse's head, reflects Arabian and Emirati cultural heritage.
Emirati talent was also praised: Mohammed Hassan Ahmad was awarded best Emirati talent; the most promising Emirati female filmmaker was Manal Bin Amro; and most promising Emirati male filmmaker was Nawaf al Janahi.
pmenon@thenational.ae
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
THREE
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Company%20Profile
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Sanju
Produced: Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Rajkumar Hirani
Director: Rajkumar Hirani
Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Paresh Rawal, Anushka Sharma, Manish’s Koirala, Dia Mirza, Sonam Kapoor, Jim Sarbh, Boman Irani
Rating: 3.5 stars
IF YOU GO
The flights
FlyDubai flies direct from Dubai to Skopje in five hours from Dh1,314 return including taxes. Hourly buses from Skopje to Ohrid take three hours.
The tours
English-speaking guided tours of Ohrid town and the surrounding area are organised by Cultura 365; these cost €90 (Dh386) for a one-day trip including driver and guide and €100 a day (Dh429) for two people.
The hotels
Villa St Sofija in the old town of Ohrid, twin room from $54 (Dh198) a night.
St Naum Monastery, on the lake 30km south of Ohrid town, has updated its pilgrims' quarters into a modern 3-star hotel, with rooms overlooking the monastery courtyard and lake. Double room from $60 (Dh 220) a night.