After a week of projections, it is the final clap for the 16th edition of the Geneva International Oriental Film Festival (FIFOG), which took place from the 21st to the 27th of June 2021, amid the COVID-19 crisis. Despite the strict sanitary restrictions, this edition has been a resounding success, with recognition in the media and a large number of visitors.
HOPE, ALWAYS
This year, 50 films from 20 Oriental and Occidental countries were featured in the festival, celebrating Hope and underlining the importance of culture and cinema in our societies. Placed under the patronage of the Swiss Commission for UNESCO, this 16th edition has brought to light movies from young directors, casting a positive view of life. Through their works, directors have portrayed a progressive view of the world and expressed their hopes to see better days. In these violent and pessimistic times, their movies are a breath of fresh air.
A MEETING SPACE
The numerous debates, exchanges, artistic performances and meetings, both on and offline, have greatly contributed to forge social links, bring people closer together and fight against prejudices. More than 40 guests have participated in this year’s edition. Some of them have successfully laid down the foundation for future collaborations with people they met at the festival. In addition, as always, the audience, having been able to watch movies prompting their curiosity, has greatly contributed to the reflections on today’s social issues.
FIFOG 2021 PRIZE LIST
Official Competition
The jury of the Official Competition, composed of Rashid MASHARAWI (Director – Palestine), Irène CHALLAND (Producer – Switzerland), Soraya BAGHDADI (Actress – Lebanon), Lynda BELKHIRIA (Festival Programmer – Algeria) and Mohamed KHIRI (Journalist – Tunisia) has revealed its selection.
The Golden FIFOG has been awarded to PAPICHA, directed by Mounia MEDDOUR (Algeria – France), for its “mastering of the script and its actresses’ performances. An advocacy film, defending individual freedom and addressing current topics of interest.” The Silver FIFOG has been awarded to THE FLYING CIRCUS, directed by Fatos BERISHA (Kosovo), for the “finesse of its message, brought to light by an acting inspired by the theater world.”
In addition, the jury has given a special mention to LES FEMMES DU PAVILLON J, directed by Mohamed NADIF (Morocco) for its “cinematographic approach, combining modesty and onirism.”
Short Films Competition
The jury of the Short Films Competition, composed of Salah ISSAAD (Director – Algeria), Nahla ATTALI (Actress – Algeria – Ukraine), Hanna ASSOULINE (Director – France), Hani ABBAS (Editorial Cartoonist – Syria – Palestine) and Sonia JASMINE (Writer – Algeria), has revealed its selection as well.
The Golden and Silver FIFOG have been awarded respectively to OMÉ, directed by Wassim GEAGEA (Lebanon – Qatar), and I’M AFRAID TO FORGET YOUR FACE, directed by Alah SAMEH (Egypt – France – Belgium – Qatar). The first one for its “subject matter, tackled from a perspective both fragile and tenacious, as well as for the quality of its script and acting – and, especially, the acting of this child, inhabited by the hope of resurrection, despite his grief.” The second one for “the importance of faces in the movie (both their presence and absence), as well as for the depth, strength and originality of its script, subverting the tradition with its own rules.”
In addition, the jury has given a special mention to THE LAST BLEAT, directed by Yara KHALIL (Germany – Syria), for its “universal reach, casting light on faces and stories in a larger conflict, often addressed through disembodied numbers, as well as for its revendication of singularity, even if there is a price to pay.”
School Competition
The Golden FIFOG of the Reception Class 600, access II (Lissignol / Geneva), composed of 17 students and their teacher, Jean-Marc BAEHLER, has been awarded to SUKAR, directed by Ilias EL FARIS (France – Morocco). A movie showing that “even with limited resources, it is possible to be funny, moving and to display a little bit of the everyday life… trying to get by, dreaming, surviving, falling in love for the first time…”
In addition, classes from the Henry-Dunant School in Geneva and their teachers, Alba BIANDA and Tarek AKIRI, have awarded the Golden FIFOG to GENERATION « OPEN YOUR MIND », directed by Lauriane ESCAFFRE et Yvonnick MULLER (France). “The winner of this prize convinced us both for the subject dealt with but also for the choice of direction and the excellent acting. The humor, the provocation and the surprising fall shed light on a topical theme – the gender issue – and offer an important message of hope: overcoming gender stereotypes. “
Audience Award
After a vote on the dedicated Facebook group, the Audience Award has been attributed to POUSSIERES D’ETOILES, directed by Mirvet MEDINI-KAMMOUN (Tunisia) who was very little ahead of BRISES: BEYROUTH 6.07 by Carol MANSOUR (Lebanon).
Special Prize
Finally, the festival has decided to award a special prize to BRISES: BEYROUTH 6.07, directed by Carol MANSOUR (Lebanon), for its message of strength and hope despite the tragedy, and the director’s willingness to face the danger in order to witness.