BREAKING: Paul Andrew Williams’ film Dragonfly has just won the top prize at the Cairo Film Festival, securing a $7,000 award for its producer. The prestigious announcement was made at the Cairo Opera House during a ceremony led by renowned Turkish filmmaker Nuri Bilge Ceylan, who praised the film as a “profound exploration of solitude.”
The film, which follows an unlikely friendship between two women, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in June and has now garnered international acclaim. In a standout moment, actresses Andrea Riseborough and Brenda Blethyn shared the Best Actress award for their captivating performances.
In addition to Dragonfly‘s success, the festival recognized several other remarkable films. The Silver Pyramid for Best Director, accompanied by a $5,000 cash prize, was awarded to the Nasser brothers for their work on Hesitation. Meanwhile, Majd Eid earned the Best Actor award for his role in the same film, and Watch It presented a $10,000 prize for Best Arab Feature.
The Bronze Pyramid Special Jury Award, carrying a $3,000 prize, was given to Turkish filmmaker Şeyhmus Altun for his significant contribution to cinema. The Henry Barakat Award for Best Artistic Contribution in Cinematography was awarded to Mathieu Giombin for his work in Beyond the Horizon, directed by Bangladeshi filmmaker Mahde Hasan.
In a poignant moment, the festival paid tribute to six-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab, the subject of the closing film. CIFF President Hussein Fahmy emphasized the powerful role of cinema in conveying impactful stories and providing a voice to the voiceless.
The closing ceremony also featured the presentation of numerous lifetime achievement awards. The Golden Pyramid honorary award was presented to esteemed Hungarian filmmaker Ildikó Enyedi and acclaimed Egyptian cinematographer Mahmoud Abdel Samie, both celebrated for their lasting contributions to the film industry.
In a strategic move, the Cairo Film Festival signed a cooperation agreement with Qatar’s Film Commission to encourage co-productions and enhance the international distribution of Arab cinema. This initiative aims to create new opportunities for Arab filmmakers and elevate their visibility on the global stage.
As the festival concludes, the impact of these awards and partnerships resonates throughout the film community, highlighting the crucial role of storytelling in fostering cultural connections and understanding.
Stay tuned for more updates on the latest developments from the Cairo Film Festival and its significant contributions to the world of cinema.
