Dubai-based filmmaker Kamil Roxas has been crowned the winner of the Samsung/DIFF-sponsored The Reel Dubai Short Film Contest. Roxas will be attending the 68th Cannes Film Festival in May, where the film will screen in the short film corner, as part of the prize.
Reel Dubai was announced at December's DIFF and saw a total of six finalists mentored by local film maker's Nayla Al Khaja (The Neighbour), Mohammad Saeed Harib (Freej) and Ali F Mostafa (From A to B). Roxas' describes his winning film, Hello World, as a poetic narrative on the rise of a city, its cultural landscape, the people and their stories.
Roxas’ mentor, Nayla Al Khaja, commented: “As a filmmaker your dream is to see your film evoke emotions in people and hopefully inspire them. Kamil will have the amazing opportunity to showcase his film at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival to a very diversified international audience and gain access to many industry professionals.”
The competition was judged by a panel consisting of representatives from DIFF, DTCM and Samsung, and Roxas and the runners up also received prizes of film making equipment and gadgets from Samsung.
Shivani Pandya, Managing Director of DIFF, added: “Nurturing filmmaking at the grassroots level is an integral part of developing a thriving film culture in the region. “The Reel Dubai” contest has been a hugely successful initiative, and it has been an absolute pleasure experiencing our home Dubai through each filmmaker’s eyes, uncovering so much fresh talent and passion for the art of filmmaking along the way. All the films are original, moving and entertaining – I hope that audiences enjoy viewing them.”
All six finalists films will also be screened at The Pop-Up Cinema at Dubai World Trade Centre as part of World Art Dubai, between 4:00 pm and 9:00 pm on Thursday, April 9 and 12:00 pm and 9:00 pm on Friday, April 10 and Saturday, April 11.
cnewbould@thenational.ae