Time to shun violence and sing songs

KABUL (SW): The 4^th Afghanistan International Women Film Festival (AIWFF) happily concluded here on Sunday leaving lasting memories behind.

Speaking at the occasion, Roya Sadat, the festival organizer and director for Roya Films, stated that they faced countless troubles in regard to establishing women’s cinema in Afghanistan. Sadat noted that with the minimum resources available, they are trying to establish women’s cinema in the country. She pointed out that art can play a major role in bringing peace. “Filmmakers do have the potential to work for human values”, Roya added.  

Speaking on the occasion, Gesso Jahan Giri, the director for Armanshar (Open Asia) and one of the organizers, stated that this festival has now turned into an international film festival and hundreds of filmmakers participate in it. Jahan Giri urged that it is the time to put guns down and sing the songs of love and peace.

Aqillah Rezai, Ehsanullah Wakili, Frishta Safi, Faiziya Amini, Khadim Hussain Behnam, Sadam Dillawar, Sadam Wahidi, Sayed Ahmad Ziya Ibrahim, Shafaq Siyah Poosh, Yasin Yawari, Sayed Jalal Rohani, Shamim Haq Shinas, Hakim Soroush, Abdullah Rezai, Ghulam Reza Jafari, Omid Marz Ban, Samira Rezai, Farah Naz Yuosofi, Zinab Entizar, Ghafar Azad, Reza Jafari, Mahdi Poya Zadah and Wiga Maqari were awarded in the 4^th Afghanistan International Women Film Festival for their work.

Rahnaward Zaryab, the Afghan writer, was also present on the occasion. Zaryab said that the Ministry of Culture and Information has not paid enough attention to art in the country. He regretted that even major cities like Kandahar, Herat and Balkh have no proper cinema.

This noted writer said that cinema is a momentous part of modern art and it should be “revered”. Zaryab added that the state of cinema production in Afghanistan is even worst than that of 50 years ago.

Ibrahim Arifi, the head for Afghan Films also spoke on the occasion. Arifi thanked the organizers. He said that Afghanistan International Women Film Festival is the first female film festival held in the region. Kirsi Mattila, the Finish film director and a member at the penal of jury in the 4^th AIWFF, said that the 4^th Afghanistan International Women Film Festival helped her know more about Afghanistan.

Producers and directors from Afghanistan, India, Myanmar, Turkey, France, Egypt, Italy, Belgium, Iran, Russia, the US, Lebanon, Vietnam, China, Bangladesh, Kirghizstan, Germany, Portugal and South Korea took part in the 4^th AIWFF.

Fatima Mutamid Arya, Anna Terzi, Simitri Anwaita and Humayon Payz, were the members of jury at the 4^th AIWFF. Safe Space of Rosa Rox, the German filmmaker won the award for best voice. The Horned Owl of Sawir Passan won the best production award. Value of Oka Tarita earned the best female actor award and The Blind of Cathedral, directed by Sam Khori, the Lebanese director, gained the best ward for male actor. The Incident of Kamil Fontaine, the French director, won the best director award. Sayed Jalal Noorani’s The Water won the best director award and The Scenes of A Divorce, co-directed by Sherin Barqnaward and Mohammad Reza Jahan Panah, achieved the best documentary ward in the 4^th AIWFF.

ENDS