It’s a wrap for the 12th edition of Final Cut in Venice (1-3 September), the workshop aimed at supporting films in post-production from Africa and the Arab countries (Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine and Syria). The initiative was held during the Venice Production Bridge hosted by the Venice Film Festival.

For the eighth consecutive year, the La Biennale di Venezia Prize (worth €5,000) was handed out in order to support the best film in post-production. The jury, made up of Wayne Borg (NEOM), Monica Ciarli (Minerva Pictures) and Dennis Ruh, rewarded Aisha Can’t Fly Away by Morad Mostafa (Egypt/Tunisia/Saudi Arabia/Qatar/France). The jurors billed the project’s story as “powerful and authentic […]. Despite being a first feature, it showcased confident direction and a distinct cinematic voice. The film’s gritty realism, attention to detail and impactful storytelling left a strong impression on us,” they added.

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Mostafa’s project also received awards handed out by Titra Film (€5,000 for colour grading; up to €3,000 for the production of a DCP master, or the creation of i-Tunes, Google or Netflix files; and up to €2,000 for French or English subtitles), RAI Cinema (€5,000 for first negotiation rights for the acquisition of free TV exploitation rights in the Italian territory), the Cinémathèque Afrique of the Institut Français (the “Coup de cœur de la Cinémathèque Afrique” Prize, consisting of the acquisition of the non-commercial and non-exclusive broadcasting rights for seven years, valued at €4,000-€6,000) and the Festival International de Films de Fribourg (covering the production costs of a DCP with a €2,500 grant).

Meanwhile, My Father’s Scent by Mohamed Siam (Egypt/Norway/Saudi Arabia/Qatar/France) received five more awards. The project will benefit from colour-correction services (worth €15,000, handed out by Laser Film), original score backing (worth €12,000, courtesy of Oticons), sound-mixing services (up to seven days of work, offered by 196-Media), visual effects services (worth €10,000, awarded by M74 srl), plus Mnemonica’s offer of 12-month availability of its production platform (worth €10,000).

Next, Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese’s Ancestral Visions of the Future (France/Germany/Lesotho) received three more grants. Studio A Fabrica is offering €15,000 to cover sound-mixing expenses, the Red Sea Fund awarded it €5,000, and the Festival International du Film d’Amiens gave it a €2,500 bursary to cover the production costs of a DCP.

Ique Langa’s The Prophet (Mozambique/South Africa) also received three more grants. The London branch of Sub-Ti Ltd is offering up to €7,500 for the creation of a DCP master with Italian or English subtitles, whilst the Turin-based one, Sub-Ti Access, is offering up to €7,500 for the creation of accessible film content for audiences with sensory disabilities. Moreover, the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie is offering a €5,000 refund for post-production services.

Finally, Nadim Tabet’s In This Darkness I See You (Lebanon/France/Qatar/Saudi Arabia) will benefit from a minimum guarantee of $10,000 for marketing, publicity and distribution activities provided by MAD Solutions, and an additional $5,000 grant awarded by the El Gouna Film Festival.

Here is the full list of this year’s award winners:

La Biennale di Venezia Award
Aisha Can’t Fly Away - Morad Mostafa (Egypt/Tunisia/Saudi Arabia/Qatar/France)

Supporters’ jury

“Coup de cœur de la Cinémathèque Afrique” Award
Aisha Can’t Fly Away - Morad Mostafa

El Gouna Film Festival Award
In This Darkness I See You – Nadim Tabet (Lebanon/France/Qatar/Saudi Arabia)

Festival International du Film d’Amiens Award
Ancestral Visions of the Future - Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese (France/Germany/Lesotho)

Festival International de Films de Fribourg Award
Aisha Can’t Fly Away - Morad Mostafa

Laser Film Award
My Father’s Scent - Mohamed Siam (Egypt/Norway/Saudi Arabia/Qatar/France)

196 Media Award
My Father’s Scent - Mohamed Siam

Mnemonica Award
My Father’s Scent - Mohamed Siam

M74 Award
My Father’s Scent - Mohamed Siam

MAD Solutions Award
In This Darkness I See You - Nadim Tabet

Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie Post-production Award
The Prophet – Ique Langa (Mozambique/South Africa)

Oticons Award
My Father’s Scent - Mohamed Siam

RAI Cinema Award
Aisha Can’t Fly Away - Morad Mostafa

Red Sea Fund of the Red Sea International Film Festival Award
Ancestral Visions of the Future - Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese

Sub-Ti Ltd Award
The Prophet - Ique Langa

Sub-Ti Access Srl Award
The Prophet - Ique Langa

TitraFilm Award
Aisha Can’t Fly Away - Morad Mostafa

Studio A Fabrica Award
Ancestral Visions of the Future - Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese