The Shabiba House of Arts, in cooperation with the General Film Organization, launched the “Vision” team’s concert within the “Negative” Film Festival for amateurs, under the title “Art Leads the Masses”, in the presence of a group of cinema, drama, critic and media stars, at Al Kindi Cinema in Damascus.
The ceremony included cinematic screenings of seven short films directed, written, acted and implemented by amateur students, members of the “Vision” team, which is the movie “Pulse” directed by Obada Abdullah Muhammad, which sheds light on the idea of motherhood, and the movie “We Live Twice” directed by Nadia Akkad, which talks about the immortality of art.
The movie “Taal”, which means “neck tie”, directed and written by Omar Bolad, was shown, and its idea revolves around continuity in life. As for the movie “Enough Returned”, directed by George Elias, its idea is the fatal response to bad humanitarian actions.
The festival included three dance paintings by the “Khatwa” troupe, inspired by the festival, to complete the screening of the films, which are “Shabbak” directed by Elias Masouh, a humorous film centered on a curious personality and the societal response to her unacceptable actions, and “Hajla” directed by Mudar Ahmed and “Exit Sign”. Directed by Nadia Al-Akkad, which introduces the idea of not judging a person outwardly, but rather a person in his essence.
In an interview with the media, the cinematographer Hisham Pharaon, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the film director, expressed his hope to reach a platform that presents Syrian cinema globally through the future International Negative Festival.
Omar Bolad, a member of the Board of Directors of the team, explained that cultivating young artistic talents and entering the world of directing, acting and film preparation is the main goal of the team that presents their projects with high professionalism and puts them on the right track.
Director Mazhar al-Hakim, who was present at the festival, said that Syrian art should be supportive of all young amateurs in order to reach professionalism, whether they are actors, authors or directors. He, in turn, until now sees himself as an amateur in front of the Syrian artistic, dramatic or cinematic creativity.
The festival concluded by honoring the winners with five prizes. The first went to Best Actor and went to Ramy Al-Masry for the movie “Shabbak”, the best actress won by Christina Wakim for the movie Hajla, and the best scenario for Abdel-Malik Al-Khairat for the movie “Exit Sign”. As for the best directing award, it went to Nadia Akkad for the movie “We Live”. Twice” and the best integrated film was singled out by Elias Masouh for the movie “Shabbak”. The jury also noted the acting of Osama Al-Sallal for the movie “Exit Record”, as well as the directing of Mudar Ahmed for the movie “Hajla”.
It is noteworthy that the “Roya” team was established a year and a half ago, and films were produced with simple capabilities, self-financing, and support from the Arts House in Damascus, in cooperation with the General Film Corporation and the Negative Film Festival.