“SAE” Students Win International Awards During their Participation in Four Film Festivals

A group of SAE students, the Creative Media School of LTUC recently participated in several international film festivals and received high appreciation and awards from the audience and critics. As both documentaries "Fatima" and "Sakib" participated in film festivals in Italy, Bosnia and Palestine.

Partaking is such festivals, creates a unique opportunity for the creative youth to gain substantial experience and develop their talents in the film industry, including film production, scriptwriting, adding sound effects and photomontage. In addition to providing a platform for the students to exchange experiences and discuss industry insights with other attendees.

Students expressed their enthusiasm at participating in such festivals which fosters and sharpens their capabilities and passion. Not to mention, these film festivals are regarded as podiums for the students to showcase their views and beliefs at a global level.

"Fatima"; a short film about a young Syrian girl who lives in an unofficial Syrian refugee camp in the Jordan Valley, demonstrating the effects of camp life on her personal development as a teenager. The film received Critics Award at the Italian Festival for Independent Films Dedicated to Youth; "Militello". It also participated in Elia Short Films Festival organized by the non-profit initiative; "We Finally Have a Cinema", which is designed to revitalize the cultural panorama of Jerusalem.

Additionally, the short documentary "Sakib" participated in the Italian Film Festival "Strano"; the primary and specialized festival in sharing cultural heritage of people. This festival is a unique space for expressing values, away from the economic perspective, as it emphasizes on promoting interfaith dialogue and environmental preservation, in addition to highlighting films of the young directors.  

Furthermore, "Sakib" which was also shown at the annual Viva Film Festival in Bosnia, depicts the alarming rise in birth rates in Sakib Village in Jordan, as it recorded the highest population growth rates in the world in 1991, varying between 7 and 10 members per family, while some families reached 20 members. The film illustrated the impact of living conditions on fertility rates, and lifestyle changes in the village.