The third edition of the Zawya Short Film Festival concluded with an awards ceremony on 3 February, awarding four prizes and giving one film a special mention, from among the 15 in competition. Major Tom by Abdelrahman Salem won the Best Film Award sponsored by Red Star Films, a prize worth EGP 15,000. The film was also screened at the Copper Coast Short Film Festival. Muhammed Taymour was awarded the Misr International Films Best Director Award, worth EGP 15,000, for his film From the Remains of the Dead. Marchedaire (Into Reverse) by Noha Adel won the Film Clinic Jury Prize, worth EGP 10,000 EGP. The film has been screened at the 15th Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF). Something Cold by Amrosh Badr won the Birthmark Films Best Script, which grants her a scriptwriting mentorship. The film was screened at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival last year. Animated film The Unknown Sweet Potato Seller, by Roshdy Ahmed (the director behind Tarot) was given a Special Mention by the jury. On 2 February Zawya issued an apology to the audience on its Facebook page for not being able to screen The Unknown Sweet Potato Seller, citing that “it wasn't granted the censors' permit, but it is still part of the selection and is eligible for the awards nevertheless.” A similar situation occurred at the 13th DIFF, where the film was set to have its premiere. DIFF issued a statement 24 hours prior to the scheduled screening time, cancelling the film's screening “due to unforeseen circumstances.” The animation film stars Khaled Abo El-Naga and Tara Emad in a story set in the days of the revolution about an artist who seeks justice, and a young sweet potato vendor who was shot dead in the street. It won an award for Best Animated Film at the Miami International Short Film Festival. The Zawya festival jury was comprised of Egyptian filmmakers Ayten Amin, Marouan Omara, and Sherif El-Bendary. For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture
