Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q), The Hague International Model United Nations (Thimun) and Qatar Academy jointly held the 2013 Thimun Qatar Northwestern Film Festival Awards at St Regis yesterday. Nine short films were screened on the occasion and awards in different categories were presented to the winners in a gala ceremony.

Describing the occasion as a “marvellous night”, NU-Q dean Dr Everette E Dennis said: “Many of the filmmakers have presented a number of social issues through these short films. They aim to encourage students to advocate change in the world using a media that could potentially reach a large international audience.”

Cameron Janzen, head of Thimun Qatar, also addressed the gathering and stressed the importance of using cinema to raise social issues.

Emcee Noor al-Thani, who welcomed the gathering, said: “Only nine of the selected films are being screened tonight. All the other films can be watched on YouTube.” The films that were screened were Dogs in Doha by Will Wegner, Life at Sea by Mirte Ebel,  Yaqeen by Suleima Alhaj Abed, Untangling the Fishing Nets by Paula Ortiz, Dancing Eyes by  Jenica Woolley, Child Labour:An Innocent Outcome by Mohamed Loqman, Split Second  by Amal al-Muftah, Smoke by Asaad al-Raisi and Battles with Food by Faraz Ahmad.

Awards were given in the categories of Best Poster, Best Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Sound, Best Story, Best Junior Film, Best National Film, People’s Choice, Best Picture 1st Runner-Up and Best Picture.

The film festival lasted three days and featured a number of activities for the participants. There were  a number of workshops for student directors and a 24-hour team challenge, wherein participants had to develop the best short film during the course of a day.

 

 

 

 

 

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