Namir is a French filmmaker of Egyptian origin. One day he watches a videotape of the Virgin Mary’s apparition in Egypt with his mother who, like millions of other Copts, (Egypt’s Christians) sees the Virgin on the screen while he sees nothing. Skeptical about the videotape, Namir travels back to Egypt, to make a film about the bizarre occurrence of these apparitions.
The largest film event in the Upper Midwest, and one of the largest and longest running film festivals in the country, the MSP International Film Festival annually presents some 200 feature length and short form narrative and documentary films from 60+ countries around the world to growing numbers of attendees every year. For more than three decades, this spring event has provided an opportunity for audiences to experience new cultures and ideas through the medium and art of film, and has welcomed numerous prominent filmmakers and personalities to tell their stories.
Tag: Arts
BelAhdan with Susan Smoluchowski, Exuctive Director Int Film Festival
The largest film event in the Upper Midwest, and one of the largest and longest running film festivals in the country, the MSP International Film Festival annually presents some 200 feature length and short form narrative and documentary films from 60+ countries around the world to growing numbers of attendees every year. For more than three decades, this spring event has provided an opportunity for audiences to experience new cultures and ideas through the medium and art of film, and has welcomed numerous prominent filmmakers and personalities to tell their stories.
Since it’s inception in 1981, the MSP International Film Festival has developed an exemplary reputation of presenting a diverse and eclectic lineup of films from around the world.
The MSP International Film Festival is presented by The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul, a 501(c)(3) non-profit film exhibition organization in the Twin Cities, a 501(c)(3) non-profit membership-based organization with a rich 50-year history of exhibiting the very best of contemporary and historical independent, local national and international cinema to Minnesota audiences. In doing so, The Film Society informs audiences about the culture, histories, cutting-edge news and filmmaking artistry from countries around the world. The Film Society exhibits year-round out of the St. Anthony Main Theatre, presenting nightly screenings as well as an array of niche film festivals throughout the year.
BelAhdan at Arab Film Festival , 2013, featuring documentary film, ” in Search of Oil and Sand
Arab Film Festival featuring film documentry In Search of Oil & Sand,
About the Filmmakers
Wael Omar : Wael’s fascination with cameras started at a young age having been born to a painter and a photo-hobbyist who himself had produced two films in a brief and whirlwind career.
Many visits to Kodak later, he was determined to make a career out of being behind a camera in one capacity or another. In 2005, after earning his MA in Film Arts and having spent several years as an apprentice, Wael shot State of Emergency as part of the Democracy 76 Project -series of short documentaries that logged the peak of Mubarak’s brutal policed state and the beginnings of the social and political undercurrents that would sweep the country into revolution six years later.
Wael’s work has previously aired on BBC Storyville, AlArabiya, France 3, and ITVS as well as being featured in various international film festivals and expert panels on digital activism.
With an eye to strengthen and expand the documentary movement in the region, in 2008, he co-founded Middle West Films, an incubator and co-production house for feature projects. He currently resides in Cairo.
Philippe L. Dib : Philippe L. Dib is an independent filmmaker of Franco-Lebanese origin currently residing in Cairo. With a background in film production from UCLA Extension’s Film Department, he has explored various avenues of cinema such as a scriptwriter and actor in short films in London, L.A.
and Cairo. He has also conducted underwater cinematography in Sharm El-Shiekh for promotional purposes (1994-5). In 1996 he co-wrote and directed his first feature film, Welcome Says The Angel, filmed during the outbreak of violence following the case of Rodney King’s in L.A., starring Ayesha Hauer (daughter of Rutger Hauer).
In 2006 he wrote and directed El Tanbura that got him the Golden Turon in the Etnofilm Festival in Cadca(2008) and the Jury’s prize award in the Sawi documentary film festival in Cairo (2006). In addition to his film career, he has also participated in numerous projects of the world music circuit.
These include forming Zuweira in 1999, a Cairo-based multi-ethnic band with the accompaniment of Moudou of Senegal, and Karima Nayt of Algeria. Participation in the music score of Omar Shargawi’s Ma’ salama ya Jamil (winner of the Rotterdam festival) and Buddha Bar XI by Ravin as well as other countless music and film projects.
