Almouhannad Khalthoum’s short film “Photograph” wins three awards in international film festivals in Morocco

The Syrian short film “Photograph” directed by Almouhannad Khalthoum and produced by the National Film Organization, has won three awards through its participation in three international film festivals in Morocco.

The film won the biggest award for the best short fiction film at the “Bridges of Creativity” Film Festival (Festival le Pont de la creativite cinematographique) in Casablanca. It also won the male character award for the best actor at the Oasis International Film Festival (Festival du Cinéma L’oasis) in Tata city. The award was shared equally between the two main characters of the film, Suleiman Al-Ahmad and Ghaleb Shandoubeh. “Photograph” also won the biggest award of the best short fiction film in Casa Film Festival (Le Cinema Pour Consolider Les Valeurs De La Coexistence) in Casablanca.

“Photograph” depicts the repercussions of the war in Syria on Syrian children. It tackles child labor and the difficult economic circumstances that force children to leave schools and look for a job to support their families. The film also highlights the situation of children in the post-war stage as well as man’s struggle to survive.

Director of the film Almouhannad Khalthoum expressed his happiness over the wards, stressing that this success goes to the Syrian cinema which deserves more prosperity and development.

The film won several prestigious awards in previous local and Arab festivals, because it sheds light on children, who are major victims of war.

The film, the scenario of which was written by Bouthaina Na’eesa, stars Suleiman al-Ahmad, Ghaleb Shandoubeh, Jamal al-Ali, Safouh Mimas and Itab Abu Sa’da.

Hamda Mustafa