Junior Chamber International-Lattakia launches the first edition of the “Flickers” International Short Film Festival

With the participation of 387 films from 27 countries around the world, the Junior Chamber International ( JCI) –Lattakia has recently launched the “Flickers” International Short Film Festival in its first edition  in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and the National Film Organization. 

The  cultural event, which was hosted by “Al-Kindi” Cinema in Lattakia,  aims at  supporting young people who are interested in cinema and spreading its culture, which is capable of influencing and changing societies  as well as highlighting short films that are no less important than their long films in terms of content and presentation.

President of the JCI-Lattakia Dalia Sulieman said in a statement to the Syriatimes e-newspaper “ the JCI is keen on supporting the young people, their aspirations and talents in various sectors and we seek through our all projects to spread the culture of cooperation in society”.

She added “ the Flickers short film festival falls within the international scope and included participation from several countries . The winning films received gold, silver and bronze awards as well as the festival’s special award for the best Syrian film”.

Depending  on setting a criterion based on the originality of the idea and the special artistic form adopted by the director of the film to express it, the jury  chose four films in the first three places including the Egyptian film “Potato”  by the director Mohamed El-Badri, which  won the first place and the golden prize. 

The second place award was presented   jointly  to  the two Algerian animated films   “White  Night” by director Essam Tashit and “Bridge” by Shawki Boukaf, while the film “Latshat  Nour” from Egypt by director Danny Gamal won  the third place. 

The Flickers  short film festival’s  award  was given  to  the Syrian film “Hamzat Wasl”  by the director Batoul Jadid.  

Deputy  vice- president of the  JCI -Lattakia  Asa’ad Azhari  , said in a statement to  Syriatimes e-newspaper  that “the festival, whose films vary between documentary, fiction and movement, is directed to creative youth of visual content makers who have not yet had their chance in the cinema sector”.

For her part, the director of the Flickers  international short film Festival  Rama Tabba, indicated  to Syriatimes that the festival’s  jury  chose the participating films according to the declared criteria and conditions, including a commitment to a period not exceeding 15 minutes for the film in addition to the message it addresses  and the technical level.

Tabba pointed out that the festival administration was keen to form  the jury from different countries besides the host country Syria, where it was chaired by   Dean of the Higher Institute of Cinematic Arts  director Basil Al-Khatib and the film critic Dr. Lama Tayara, director Khaled Al-Zadjali from Oman  and the  Egyptian film critic Alia Talaat.

Director of Lattakia Culture Majd Sarem affirmed the ministry’s keenness, through its institutions, , to provide all support for the success of festivals concerned with the cinematic creativity of young people to consolidate  their expertise to reach high-level of directing. 

For her part, the director Batoul Jadid stressed the importance of such festivals  which provide an opportunity for  young people to present their cinematic visions to the public.

Interviewed by : Rawaa Ghanam