6th Edition of Al-Sweida Short Film Festival launched with the participation of films from different countries

Last evening, the activities of the Al-Sweida Short Film Festival, in its sixth edition, which bears the name of the international Syrian film director Mustafa Al-Akkad in recognition of his important creative experience in the art of cinema, were launched at the Culture Palace in the city.

The festival, held by the National Foundation for Cinema and T.V Production in cooperation with the Directorate of Culture and the Governorate of Al-Sweida and in coordination with the General Cinema Corporation, includes 35 films from Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the U.A.E and Syria, selected from among more than 150 nominated films.

The opening ceremony included a promo show that reflects the development of the festival, which started from Al-Sweida, which rich in its heritage and cultural diversity, through its previous sessions, leading up to its current session as an annual cultural event that celebrates the participation of amateurs and professionals in making short films at the local, Arab and international levels within a promising cinematic environment.

The director of the festival, Issam Al-Dahouk, explained in his speech during the opening that the festival is a local cultural activity that aims at enriching the cultural and creative scene, to move up with the visual taste and support young talents to reach their artistic aspirations. where the efforts of many people interested in culture, literature and art joined together .

The Governor of Al-Sweida Bassam Barsik brought light to the fact that this festival is being held on a land that witnessed the greatest stories of heroism and sacrifice, and embodied the finest images of civilization and cultural diversity, bringing together many creative artistic productions from Syria and from many Arab countries, where it became the incubator and reflector of an inexhaustible culture and unceasing creativity.

In a video message, the prestigious actress, Mona Wassef, talked about her special work experience with Film Director Mostafa Al-Akkad since 1974, Wassef also expressed her wishes for the continuation and success of the festival also the presentation of beautiful films, because we need cinema, especially with the fact that it was affected negatively during the war years.

In a similar message, the Dean of the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts in Damascus, Dr. Thamer Al-Arbid, praised the festival as a creative product and a real and qualitative project for those in charge of it, noting that As- Suwyada governorate, which is passionate about culture, deserves it, as it has become a milestone in the cultural scene and an annual event and date awaited by cinema, culture lovers and those interested, especially the audience of As-Suwayda city

Also ,from the United Arab Emirates, the drama and production advisor at the Dubai Media Center, artist and director Omar Ghobash, sent a greeting of thanks and appreciation for the efforts made to continue this festival, which produces many experiences, in addition to the provision of the cinematic art scene with many talents.

The festival shows were opened by the film “Since I Have Known Your Love, I Shut My Heart” from outside the competition, directed by Issam Al-Dahouk, which symbolically presents the torments and sufferings of our country in light of the war and terrorism it is exposed to.

Followed by the Syrian film titled “A Very Long Film” produced by the General Film Corporation, directed by Robin Issa, which symbolically talks about an entire society through three characters representing its segments ,different age stages, life experiences, concerns and goals, each within his own world and space.

Finally,the first day’s performances concluded with the animated film titled “Sherine Abu Aqleh”, directed by the Iraqi director Zaid Shukr, which bears patriotic and Arab connotations that depend on the symbolism of drawing the Palestinian flag by children to emphasize adherence and firm belief in the cause, homeland and witnessing the preservation of rights, generation after generation, while highlighting the role of the media and the camera as a weapon that the Zionist enemy fears , through exposing its brutal practices.

The opening of the festival shows was attended by official and party events, directors, artists, writers, intellectuals, an audience of interested and young people from the cinema audience in the governorate and abroad.

Leen Al-Salman