Feature Digital Films Prizes

Silver Award: "THE ENGLISHMAN"
Directed by: IAN SELLER
Produced by: MECHANICAL FILMS LTD (U.K)
Prize: 6.000$ (shared between the director and the producer)
To the film succeeds in telling the story of an inner conflict in subtle, delicate images, without having recourse to narration. Conveying how Western man creates his own prisons, it portrays three characters: two of them refugees who have recently arrived in England and a third, native-born, who is even more alienated than they are.

Feature Digital Films Prizes

Golden Award: "LITTLE MOTH"
Directed by: PENG TAO
Produced by: NEW YOUTH INDEPENDENT FILM STUDIO (CHINA)
Prize: 10.000$ (shared between the director and the producer)
This film represents the best sort of utilization of digital technology to make a politically pointed and engaged film that looks at its society with an unflinching eye. This film tells a powerful story with great cinematic skill, and does so without manipulating the audience's emotions.

Special Mention: "Caramel"
Directed by: Nadine Labaki (Lebanon)
For its refined craftsmanship and sensitive ensemble of acting.

Special Mention: "The Seventh Heaven"
Directed by: Saad Hendawy (Egypt)
For its vivid portrayal of a life affirming spirituality.

The Prize for the Best Arabic Film: "Waiting for Pasolini"
Directed by: Daoud Aoulad-Syad
Produced by: Les Films Du Sud (Morocco)
Prize: 100.000 Egyptian Pounds
Presented by the Ministry of Culture To the Producer
The Award for best Arab film goes to a work with an authentic theme depicting the influence of cinema on the lives of a group of marginalized beings giving them the opportunity to understand new ideas for a better life.

The International Critics Prize
FIPRESCI Prize (Presented to the Director): JUAN PATRICIO RIVEROLL for his Film: "OPERA" (Mexico)
The film that explains nothing verbally and says everything visually, it is the cinematic language, the length of the setting, the timing ,the use of music , the movement of the two protagonists in rooms and landscape s, which identify the director as a great talent of modern cinema. The International Critics Prize, awarded by FIPRESCI, the Federation International de la Presse.

Special Mention for the Actor: Mathew Beard for his role in Film: "AND WHEN DID YOU LAST SEE YOUR FATHER"
Directed by: Anand Tucker (U.K)

The Prize For the Best Artistic Contribution (presented to the Directo : DERVIS ZAIM
In the Film: WAITING FOR HEAVEN (TURKEY)
This was the film that expressed in the most faithful way the thoughts and heart of the myths of its subject matter and of the book it was based on.

Naguib Mahfouz Prize- The Best first work of a Director: JUAN PATRICIO RIVEROLL for his film "OPERA" (MEXICO)

Only after this film had been running for about ten minutes did I realize I was putting my expectations into a work that was deliberately defying the general rules of the medium - and that kind of daring and creativity is very rare. I really believe this is a young first time film-maker with an extraordinary future. I already want to see his next movie.

Saad El-Din Wahba Prize- The Prize for the Best Screenwriter: ALBERT TER HEERDT for the Film "KICKS"
Directed by: ALBERT TER HEERDT (THE NETHERLANDS)

This was a film that was also runner up in three other categories. It is a cleverly structured script covering some of the most difficult, delicate and painful situations and it does it with wit and compassion and happy surprises - A very clever piece of work.

The Prize for the Best Actor: ALBERT DUPONTEL
For his role in Film: "L'ENNEMI INTIME" (INTIMATE ENEMY)
Directed by: FLORENT EMILIO SIRI (FRANCE)

You think something strange cannot happen twice and then of course it does and that is the case now. Best actor votes were handed in and there was a difference of one point - it was that close. Stranger still both actors were in the same film. That tiny difference made all the difference.

The Prize for the Best actress- Shared between
The Actress: MARINA MAGRO SOTO for her role in Film "OPERA"
Directed by: JUAN PATRICIO RIVEROLL (MEXICO)

AND
The Actress: TATIANA LUTAEVA for her role in Film "FULL SCOPE"
Directed by: VALERY PENDRAKOVSKY (Russia)

This was a very difficult prize to single out. There were so many wonderful and complex female characters in the movies. It took a lot of deliberation until finally someone said, ‘It might help if we had a draw’. So the prize is shared equally between a very young woman starring in her first film and a beautiful performance by an established actress.

The Prize for the Best Director: FLORENT EMILIO SIRI for his film "L'ENNEMI INTIME" (FRANCE)
Of course this film was brought to life by everyone involved but finally they had to bow to the ultimate vision of the director, which showed the talent of a true film-maker.

The Special Jury Prize- The Silver Pyramid Presented to the Director: IN THE NAME OF GOD
Directed by: SHOAIB MANSOUR (PAKISTAN)
How could a Festival go by without recognition of aspects of life today that reverberate through all our lives whether we embrace or reject them? This award divided the Jury at first, but eventually it won through. It’s a truthful and simple comment that people should be made aware of and make up their own minds about.

The Prize for the Best Film- The Golden Pyramid Presented to the producer: L'ENNEMI INTIME
Directed by: FLORENT EMILIO SIRI
Produced by: LES FILMS DU KIOSQU (FRANCE)
A brilliantly produced, devised and directed film of a time of war - A unique warning of the futility of armed conflict.

Minister of Culture Farouk Hosny, presented with a prestigious tribute silver medal for his life time achievement, by Mr. Pier Paolo Saporito –Vice- President of the CICT (International Council of Cinema & TV) for the UNESCO. He also thanked H.E Ambassador Omar Massahla Secretary General /Forum Del Mediterraneo & Director of the Foreign Affairs UNESCO.

Opening Ceremony of the 31st Cairo International Film Festival was an unforgettable night for all the stars & guests who attended.

Comedian Ahmed Helmi, gave an auto-sarcastic joyful one man show before introducing Honorary President Omar Sharif, who welcomed all the guests & foreign guests to Egypt and wished them a splendid stay in Egypt and asked them to convey their pleasant experience to their friends & family back home. He said Egyptians are a friendly warm nation, they "hug" everyone with their warmth & love.

President Ezzat Abou Ouf also delivered a short speech welcoming the guests & different jury members. Young stars Boushra & Tamer Hagras hosted the opening ceremony.

Actors Hugh Hudson, Harvey Keitel, Matt Dillon & actress Aimee Mullins were all paid tributes for lifetime achievements.

"Rendition" to be screened today on it's Arab world premiere today, presented by its star Omar Metwally.

Gina El Rihany enriched the ceremony as she came on stage for her father the late Naguib El Rihany's tribute, her sincere emotions were very touching as most of the audience including Omar Sharif had tears in their eyes.

Ahmed Ramzy's tribute was handed over to Omar Sharif his best child hood friend. Nabila Ebeid was stunning with her charisma, class, and glamour on stage as she was presented with her award.

Critic Ahmed Saleh, Screenwriter Mostafa Moharam and great actor of all times Nour El Sharif was cheered for by the audiences as he was presented with his award.

The British Comedy "Death at a Funeral" was the Opening Film.