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Breadmakers: The Hollywood Reporter
Submitted by robin_m on Thu, 02/10/2008 - 20:33While Breadmakers Director Yasmin Fedda shoots her new documentary film in Damascus, Breadmakers continues on its remarkable journey around the globe. Future screenings have been arranged in Canada, Greece and back home in Scotland.
The following article about the 'in competition' line up for the Middle East International Film Festival, was written by Steve Brennan of The Hollywood Reporter.
More than 60 films from 32 countries have been signed in for the official competition at this year's Middle East International Film Festival that is due to run Oct. 10-19.
About 138 films will be screened with titles coming from East to West -- up from 80 films in MEIFF's inaugural festival in 2007. This year's competition includes features, documentaries, shorts and student films in four separate categories.
"I am pleased to say that MEIFF 2008 has attracted some of the top films, filmmakers and distinguished industry guests from all corners of the world, and we are honored to host them in Abu Dhabi," MEIFF vice chairman Mohamed Khalaf Al Mazrouei said.
"The official competition is the place to be at MEIFF to see up-and-coming films and premieres from across the globe," MEIFF director Nashwa Al Ruwaini said. "These films should be the first stop for cinema lovers in Abu Dhabi. Among our many world and regional premieres, the In Competition feature films O'Horten (Norway) and Mermaid (Russia) have both been submitted for the Oscar for best foreign-language film."
The festival's Black Pearl cash prize distributed to the winners, along with a trophy, has been increased this year with prizes totaling more than $1 million. Jon Fitzgerald, MEIFF's director of programming, noted: "With an expanded festival in 2008, it was logical to increase the number of films in competition."
The narrative competition features 15 films, seven of which are world premieres and two regional premieres. Among the films premiering are Samir Habachi's Beirut: Open City (Lebanon), Magdi Ahmed Ali's Fawzia: A Special Blend (Egypt), Saleh Karama's Henna (UAE) and the much-anticipated Rashid Masharawi's Laila's Birthday making its regional premiere.
Among the international films competing in the festival are Ayten Mutlu Saray's Zara (Switzerland, Austria, Netherlands, Kurdistan) marking its world premiere, Alexander Melnik's Terra Nova (Russia) making its regional premiere and Indian Girish Kasaravalli's Gulabi Talkies.
Films participating in the documentary competition include Seven Blind Filmmakers (Iran), directed by Mohammed Shirvani; Youssou N'Dour: I Bring What I Love (Senegal, Egypt, France), directed by Elisabeth Chai Vasarhelyi; and Man on Wire (U.K., U.S.), directed by James Marsh.
In the category of short films, 30 films from 21 countries will compete to win the prestigious Black Pearl. The shorts program is divided into four sections, Aspects of Life, A World of Youth, Middle East Vision and Animation and Experimental. Featured short films include Sometimes (Egypt), directed by Mahmoud Soliman; Boxing Lesson (Romania), directed by Alexandru Marrodinue; Breadmakers (U.K.), directed by Yasmin Fedda, Boutellisse (Tunisia), directed by Nasreddinee Shili; and The Graffiti of Mister Tupaia (New Zealand), directed by Christopher Dudman.
The 17 student films in the competition include Ali the Iraqi (Lebanon), directed by Vatche Boulghourjian; Kate Wakes (USA), directed by Jasmine Kosovic; The Morning With Other Eye (Russia), directed by Philipp Yurev; Ya Halawood (Jordan), directed by Students of Workshop by Amman Filmmakers Cooperative.
Breadmakers: Microcinéfest 2008
Submitted by robin_m on Tue, 23/09/2008 - 20:21Breadmakers was recently screened at Microcinéfest 2008.
Microcinéfest 2008 is the brainchild of Toronto Cinécycle Martin Heath. At once Meta-Physician, Martin is the veritable Uber Meister Projectionist of mythic proportions, spinner of reels and wheels, stopping at nothing to light up our lives.
Originator of the famous bicycle powered projector, Martin Heath has been one of the most seminal influences in the Canadian film community. For 30 years, he was head of the restoration department of the Toronto International Film Festival.
Breadmakers: Temecula Valley
Submitted by robin_m on Tue, 23/09/2008 - 20:14Breadmakers was screened twice at the 14th Temecula Valley International Film and Music Festival (TVIFF) on Thursday 18th and Saturday 20th September 2008.
Since 1995, the TVIFF has screened over 700 films from over 20 countries. The 2008 line up, featuring over 70 film programs from around the world, was held at the state of the art Movie Experience 10-plex at the Tower Plaza in Temecula, Southern California, USA. The categories showcased were U.S. and International full-length features, short films, student films, documentaries and animation.
The music competition component of TVIFF is designed to showcase the music vision and artistic wizardry of talented individuals and groups from across America and the world. The Festival is presented by Cinema Entertainment Alliance, a non-profit arts and education organisation dedicated to celebrating world cinema and music.
Breadmakers heads to Abu Dhabi
Submitted by robin_m on Sun, 21/09/2008 - 20:03Breadmakers will be shown at The Middle East International Film Festival – Abu Dhabi (MEIFF) which takes place between the 10th – 19th October 2008.
MEIFF is a celebration of cinema, dedicated to bringing a diverse slate of international films to the community and to introducing filmmakers from around the world to the region.
With an extended ten-day festival in 2008, MEIFF will showcase more films, and with a number of editions to programming sections and the prestigious Black Pearl Awards, the festival will honour and bring together talented filmmakers with experienced film executives from all over the world.
DokumentArt European Film Festival
Submitted by robin_m on Sun, 21/09/2008 - 19:56Breadmakers will be screened at 17th dokumentArt European Film Festival between 17–22 October 2008.
The festival programme will be shown at the same time in Neubrandenburg in Germany and in Szczecin in Poland. Selected films are also screened in various different towns in the region.
The five members of German-Polish program commission for the festival selected 43 films from 19 countries for the competition of this year. Over 300 films were submitted. The commission selected eight further films for a special Eastern Europe program.
Breadmakers Return to Finland
Submitted by robin_m on Fri, 12/09/2008 - 19:48Breadmakers will be screened by the North Karelian Regional Film Association at a small free event for disabled people in Joensuu, Finland, on the 19th September 2008.
Breadmakers was previously screened at the seventh annual International Festival of Visual Culture (Viscult), Joensuu, in 2007 when the main theme was "Daily Bread".
Director Yasmin Fedda was suitably delighted with yet another screening of Breadmakers. "The journey of our film is amazing. I’m so pleased it continues to be shown around the world".
The Scottish Parliament: Following the Ghost Road (DVD)
Submitted by webmaster on Mon, 01/09/2008 - 14:47
The Scottish Parliament: Following the Ghost Road is an accessible and entertaining documentary film that shows a candidate's progress to Election Day.
In an era when the electorate grows more apathetic and cynical towards politics and elections, this 35-minute film shot over 8 years during three Scottish Parliamentary elections is a unique insight into the practicalities of political campaigning.
The film's candidate, a pale-faced ghost known as Adam Lyal, has stood in three consecutive Scottish Parliamentary Elections in 1999, 2003 and 2007. By following a candidate who is not a member of any major party, the film is able to strip away some of the mystique surrounding parliamentary elections.
This documentary goes behind the scenes of the campaign and features unique historic footage of three election-night counts in Edinburgh. It also reveals the unfolding drama of 2007 when an automated count replaced the manual system with far-reaching consequences.
The Scottish Parliament: Following the Ghost Road will engage audiences with the issues in a way that is politically empowering. You can purchase the DVD by PayPal (£7.50 plus £1 postage). DVDs are available in the USA on Amazon. CLICK HERE. Alternatively call (0131) 225 6745 or email: robin@cadies.co.uk
Breadmakers: Milano Film Festival
Submitted by robin_m on Fri, 29/08/2008 - 21:19Breadmakers has been selected for the Special Section of the Milano Film Festival (2008) called Vite (R)esistenti / (Un)common people.
This special section will feature a selection of biographical documentaries: films depicting life-long struggles against hostile environments, suspicious governments, and absorbing, annihilating memories. Stories otherwise left untold, that manage to represent countries through the lives of their citizens.
The festival aims at giving an insight into the lives of extraordinary people, on which young, talented filmmakers have focussed their attention and cameras. Once again, in spite of lacking instruments, they have managed to concentrate on people's lives and bring them to the attention of the most important festivals worldwide.
The Milano Film Festival takes place from the 12th – 21st September 2008.