NEWS

Original source: http://www.gulf-times.com/, 26th March 2011

http://tinyurl.com/47fnqnq

Sealine, a film on the dangers of reckless vehicle stunts performed by youths on Qatar’s sand dunes, won the best picture award at the 2011 High School Documentary Film Festival.

The winning student director Jaser Alagha took home a cash prize of QR10,000 and a trophy at the awards gala hosted by Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) and Qatar Academy (QA) on Thursday evening.
This was the second annual The Hague International Model United Nations (THIMUN) film festival aimed at creating a platform for student film-making talent and artistic vision. 

The focus of this year’s festival was to get students to explore topics of universal interest -- human rights, sustainability or the environment -- while making them relevant to Qatar.NU-Q dean John Margolis and last year’s best picture winner Atheel El Malik presented the award to Alagha.

The best poster award was won by The Other Side, directed by Fatima Amir. THIMUN Foundation chairperson Linda Dubock presented the honour.

Behind the Veil, directed by Sophie Puet, Serene Fakhra and Bethany Godley bagged the award for best editing. NU-Q’s Emily Wilson and QA’s Ann Rogers gave away the trophy.

The award for best cinematography went to Big Dreamsdirected by Aisha al-Muhannadi. Last year’s QMUN Film Festival co-ordinator Sara Alfardan presented the trophy.

The Neglected, directed by Setareh Gerashi and Fatma Amir won the prize for best sound. QA director Greg Hedger gave away the trophy.

Retrospection by Afsal Mohamed bagged the prize for the best story. NU-Q student Rasha Said presented the award.
Specific films dealt with women who wear the veil, waste management, stunt driving, environment protection and Islamophobia.  The festival attracted 26 entries from 12 schools around Qatar. 

Najwa al-Thani was the master of ceremonies. QMUN director Cameron Janzen, Margolis and Atheel El Malik also spoke.