On Thursday, 22 February, the 11th round of the Cairo International Animation Forum closing ceremony took place at the Hanager Arts Centre in Cairo. Director of the Cultural Development Fund Fathy Abdel-Wahab and director of the Egyptian Association for Animation Rashida Abdel-Raouf honoured 11 industry figures and handed out awards to the winning animation filmmakers and films. Abdel-Wahab expressed his happiness that the forum has extended for over 10 years. Over 20 different countries participated in this round with 116 films. The forum included interactive workshops for adults, children and those with disabilities. Abdel-Wahab thanked the contributors and supporting authorities for their efforts. Abdel-Raouf described the forum as a step forward towards globalised cultural diversity. Among the 11 honourees were lyricist Shawqy Hegab, actress Leqaa Swedan, TV presenter Ahmed Amin, and veteran actor Mahmoud Hemeda for his special appearance in the promo prepared for the forum. The winners announced included the recipient of a Cultural Development Fund grant of LE50,000, going to Mostafa Mahdy's animated film Al Agala (The Wheel). The Portuguese film Fragments by Jose Miguel Ribeiro won Best Short Film. The Honesty episode from Dokkan Aam Fendy (The Shop of Uncle Fendy) by Hasan Nourel Din won the award for Best Animated Series. The German film Too Tame Zu Zahm by Rebecca Bleocher won the Experimental Creativity award. The German film The Real October-1917 by Katrin Rothe won the long film competition. Productions representing Egypt, France, Spain, Croatia and Luxembourg won multiple awards in different competitions in the forum. The Director of the Cultural Development Fund, Fathy Abdel Wahab [far left] and the Director of the Egyptian Association for Animation, Rashida Abdel-Raouf [R] stand with the winners (Photo: courtesy of the Cultural Development Fund)
