The Cairo International Film Festival and the International Film Festival Rotterdam, in collaboration with the International Emerging Film Talent Fund (IEFTF), have announced the launch of the "Safe Harbour MENA" initiative. This program aims to support filmmakers from the Middle East and North Africa who have been displaced or forced to flee their countries due to conflict or persecution. The initiative provides a platform for these filmmakers to connect with industry professionals, access training and networking opportunities, and showcase their work.
The Safe Harbour MENA initiative is an extension of the Safe Harbour program, which was launched by the International Film Festival Rotterdam and IEFTF. The program seeks to support filmmakers who have been displaced or forced to flee their countries, and who face significant challenges in accessing professional networks, funding, and development opportunities. By launching this initiative in the Middle East and North Africa, the organizers aim to provide a vital lifeline to filmmakers who have been affected by conflict and displacement.
Four filmmakers from the region have been selected to participate in the first edition of the Safe Harbour MENA program. They include Hadi Bakhit from Sudan, with his film project "Searching for a Lost Homeland"; Izil Manay from Syria/Turkey, with her film project "Temporary Protection"; Ahmed Najm El-Din from Sudan/Rwanda/Mauritania, with his film project "Spari"; and Yassif Fayez from Sudan/Kenya, with his film project "The Martyr's Wedding". The selected filmmakers will receive training, networking opportunities, and a chance to present their projects to industry professionals.
The Safe Harbour MENA initiative is part of the Cairo International Film Festival's commitment to using cinema as a tool for social change and human rights. The festival's co-founder and executive director, Amr Mansy, emphasized the importance of providing a platform for displaced filmmakers to tell their stories and share their experiences. The initiative has also received support from Martin Roberts, director of the International Film Festival Rotterdam's cinema industry section.
The International Film Festival Rotterdam's Safe Harbour program has been expanded to include the Middle East and North Africa region, in collaboration with the Cairo International Film Festival. The program aims to provide a safe haven for displaced filmmakers, allowing them to connect with industry professionals, access funding and development opportunities, and showcase their work. The initiative has been welcomed by filmmakers and industry professionals, who see it as a vital step towards supporting the creative community in the region.
The Cairo International Film Festival will also host the first screening in the Middle East and North Africa of four films supported by the Displaced Filmmakers Fund (DFF). The films include "Allies in Exile" by Hassan Qattan, "Shift" by Mariana Iorgovach, "A Feeling of Water" by Mohammad Rasoulof, and "Very Afghan" by Shahrbanoo Sadat. The DFF is a fund established by the International Film Festival Rotterdam, which provides support to filmmakers who have been displaced or forced to flee their countries.
The Safe Harbour MENA initiative and the Displaced Filmmakers Fund are critical steps towards supporting the creative community in the region. By providing a platform for displaced filmmakers to showcase their work and connect with industry professionals, the initiatives aim to promote cultural exchange, understanding, and empathy. The programs also highlight the importance of cinema as a tool for social change and human rights, and demonstrate the commitment of the film industry to supporting marginalized communities.
Key points
- The Safe Harbour MENA initiative provides a platform for displaced filmmakers from the Middle East and North Africa to connect with industry professionals and showcase their work.
- The initiative is a collaboration between the Cairo International Film Festival, the International Film Festival Rotterdam, and the International Emerging Film Talent Fund (IEFTF).
- The program aims to support filmmakers who have been displaced or forced to flee their countries due to conflict or persecution.
