Bahraini director nominated for IWC Filmmaker Award
Manama : Bahraini Director Mohamed Rashed Buali has been nominated for the IWC Filmmaker Award for the second time at the 14th Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF). Now in its sixth year, the prestigious award is presented to a feature-length fiction film project in development by directors from the Gulf countries for a chance to produce their projects for the silver screen.
“Kombars” is Buali’s second feature film following his debut “The Sleeping Tree”, which premiered at the 11th Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) and won the Special Jury Award at the 37th Cairo International Film Festival. “The Sleeping Tree” was also nominated for the IWC Award in its first edition in 2012.
The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) and Swiss luxury watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen, also announced the return of Academy Award–winning actress and IWC Schaffhausen brand ambassador Cate Blanchett to head the acclaimed jury for this year’s edition of the award. Four directors from the region will vie for a cash prize of USD100,000 and the opportunity to bring their vision to life in front of a global audience.
Competing alongside Buali are Emirati director and screenwriter Nayla Al Khaja, for “Animal”; Saudi director Haifaa Al Mansour, for her feature “Miss Camel”; and Omani filmmaker Muzna Almusafer, for “The Crown of Olives”.
Commenting on his nomination, Buali said, “This is an important milestone for the continuity of a new generation of filmmakers that started in 2006 with the dream of establishing a Bahraini film industry. Both DIFF and IWC play an important role in recognizing and supporting filmmakers in the Gulf region and bringing their visions to life.”
“I am proud to have been nominated for the second time as a representative of the Kingdom of Bahrain for my upcoming comedy feature “Kombars”. The idea started about two years ago and was designed to draw laughs within an artistic narrative. “
Commenting on the award, Christoph Grainger-Herr, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen, said, “The promotion and support of up-and-coming filmmakers and their projects is a priority of IWC Schaffhausen. We are looking forward to presenting the IWC Filmmaker Award for the sixth consecutive time at DIFF and helping to shine a light on the creativity and passion of filmmakers in the Gulf region”. DIFF’s Artistic Director Masoud Amralla Al Ali also commented: “Thanks to the IWC Filmmaker Award, both promising and established filmmakers have the potential to take their vision from script to screen. The Gulf region is home to a diverse range of cultures and talented filmmakers eager to tell their stories. Our partnership with IWC Schaffhausen is vital in providing an opportunity for them on an international stage.”
Bahraini filmmaker, Mohamed Rashed Buali initially trained as a legal professional while his foray into the filmmaking world has accelerated at a rapid pace since he produced his first short film in 2006. His first feature The Sleeping Tree was in 2014 and nominated for the IWC Schaffhausen Filmmaker Award and won the jury award in Cairo international film festival. He has won other awards for his short films and in different mediums including the Golden Lion for the 12th International Architecture Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia 2010, An Alumnus of the Asian Film Academy and Berlin Talent campus, he has won the British Council Young Creative Entrepreneur Award as well as the Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Creativity Award.
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