FESTIVALS

Oct 20, 2008–Abu Dhabi¬ís Middle East Film Festival wrapped up its second edition Sunday night doling out over $1 million in prize money, with Steve Jacobs taking the best film Black Pearl prize for his feature ¬ìDisgrace,¬î starring John Malkovich, and Gonzala Arijon winning the doc Black Pearl for “Stranded: I Have Come From a Plane that Crashed on the Mountains.¬î Jacobs picked up $200,000 in prize money, and Arijon $150,000.

Other winners include Elisabeth Chai Vasarhelyi's “Youssou N'Dour: I Bring What I Love” ($125,000). Actress Ilham Shaheen for “Fawzia: A Special Blend” and actor Luca Zingaretti for “Wild Blood.” Both will pocket $75,000.

Fest wrapped Oct. 19 with the regional premiere of helmer Ridley Scott’s “Body of Lies.” Cast member Michael Gaston attended the glitzy screening, along with Joseph Fiennes, Eva Green and a host of Arab film talent, including Egyptian actress Yousra and fast rising Syrian star Solaf Fawakherji.

Other winners:

Artistic Contribution – $75,000:
“Laila’s Birthday,” screenwriter: Rashid Masharawi

Audience Choice Award
“Saving Luna,” co-directors: Suzanne Chisholm & Michael Parfit; producer: Suzanne Chisholm

Narrative, short – $75,000
“The View,” co-directors: Hazim Bitar & Rifqi Assaf; producer: Amman Filmmaker Cooperative

Documentary, short – $75,000
“Breadmakers” director: Yasmin Fedda; producers: Jim Hickey & Robin Mitchell

Animation, short – $75,000
“Jacinta,” director: Karla Casteneda; producer: Luis Tellez

Advertisement – Cultural Category – $25,000$
“Anti Slavery,” director: Eric Lynne; producer: Partizan Films РMidi Minuit

Advertisement – Consumer Category – $25,000
“Battle,” director: Traktor; producer: Partizan Films РMidi Minuit

Advertisement – Artistic Contribution – $25,000
“Great Pretender,” director: Patrick Bergh; producer: Partizan Films РMidi Minuit

Narrative – Student Films – $25,000
“Illusion,” director: Burhan Qurbani; producer: Fabian Gasmia

Emerging Filmmaker – Student Films- $25,000
“Lullaby,” director: Serena Abi Aad; producer: IESAV

Animation – Student Films – $25.000
“Adherent,” director: Julian Nazario Vargas; producer: Rube Baggerud

More than one option(Person) Jim Hickey
(Person) Jim Hickey