Yomeddine was named Best Film at the Arab Cinema Awards Photo: Desert Highway Pictures |
Egyptian director Abu Bakr Shawky won the award for Best Film for his directorial debut Yomeddine, which tells the story of a quirky road trip by a cured leper and a young orphan who stows away on his donkey cart. The Best director award went to Nadine Labaki's much-garlanded Lebanese film Capernaum, about a child who rebels against the life imposed on him.
The Best Documentary award went to Talal Derki, who embedded himself in a radical Islamic family to make Of Fathers And Sons.
Moroccan film Sofia was a double winner, taking home the Best Screenplay award for Meryem Benm'Barek and Maha Alemi named Best Actress for her role in the film that examines what happens when a girl gives birth out of wedlock. Mohamed Dhrif was named Best Actor for Dear Son (Weldi), for his portrayal of a father who discovers his son has been radicalised.
The awards were selected by an international jury of 75 critics and industry professionals from 34 countries.