Award-winning Tunisian actress to co-direct short film festival alongside TROPFEST founder, John Polson
Abu Dhabi, UAE, 9th July 2012: TROPFEST Arabia, the Arabic version of the world’s largest short film festival, has announced today that renowned Tunisian actress Hend Sabry will join founder of TROPFEST John Polson as co-director for the second annual festival, which will take place on 26th October 2012 on the Abu Dhabi Corniche.
John Polson and co-director Hend Sabry will work together to select the finalist films, which will be screened for the first time during the festival. A jury of well-known Arabic filmmakers, actors, directors and producers will pick the winning film live on the night.
The multi-award winning actress Hend Sabry started her acting career at the age of 14 staring in movies “Mawsim Al-rijal” or “The Season of Men” and “Samt al Soqoor” meaning “Silence of the Falcons”. Sabry’s breakthrough came in 2001 with the film “Mothakarat Morahiqa” or “A Teenager’s Diaries”. Hend has since gone on to star in over 20 films and TV series, and is now considered one of the most prominent actresses in the Arab World, having won more than 20 international awards.
Commenting on her role as the co-director for TROPFEST Arabia 2012, Hend said: “Following the success of the inaugural TROPFEST Arabia festival last year, I’m extremely excited to be part of the second festival. I’m looking forward to viewing the work of young talented filmmakers from across the region, and would like to take this opportunity to advise all filmmakers to think creatively about how they can use the TROPFEST Signature Item – or ‘TSI’ in their submissions, which this year is ‘2’.”
Hend Sabry Joins TROPFEST ARABIA 2012 as Co-Director
Commenting on the announcement, John Polson, founder of TROPFEST added: “TROPFEST Arabia proved a huge success in 2011 with high quality creative films from across the Middle East and North Africa, and we anticipate an even higher volume of submissions this year following our busy workshops. I can’t wait to come back to Abu Dhabi for the second TROPFEST Arabia and look forward to viewing the films alongside Hend Sabry.”
TROPFEST Arabia aims to become one of the most influential and popular short film events on the region’s film circuit; helping to nurture the region’s growing film making community by taking a grass roots approach and supporting first time filmmakers that might otherwise feel excluded from the region’s more established film festivals. The finalist films will be premiered publicly in Abu Dhabi and will be available for online viewing, providing an excellent opportunity for the region’s talent to present their short films to the whole region.
One important element that John Polson and Hend Sabry will be looking for in each submitted film is the TROPFEST Signature Item (TSI), which this year is ‘2’. The TSI is intended to test the creativity of filmmakers by challenging them to reference it in their film, in any way they choose, encouraging creativity and to also ensure that films are created specifically for TROPFEST Arabia. Submitted films must be no longer than seven minutes including credits and submission is open to Nationals of the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA).
Aspiring filmmakers across the region can submit their entries to TROPFEST Arabia until 6th September 2012. Judging will commence early September 2012, with the short listed finalist films announced on 30th September 2012. These short listed films will then be premiered and screened at the TROPFEST Arabia festival in Abu Dhabi.
To get further details on how to submit a film visit: www.TROPFESTarabia.com
Follow TROPFEST Arabia online at:
http://www.facebook.com/TROPFEST.arabia
http://twitter.com/TROPFESTarabia
http://www.youtube.com/user/TROPFESTarabia
About TROPFEST Arabia
2011 marked the first year that TROPFEST was held in the Arab world. TROPFEST Arabia covers the Middle East and North Africa region and is open to Nationals of Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestinian territories (the West Bank and Gaza Strip), Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. The event is supported by twofour54 Abu Dhabi whose aim is to establish a sustainable Arabic media and entertainment content creation industry.
TROPFEST Arabia contributes to the development of the Arab film industry by providing an opportunity for the region’s filmmakers to bring their short films to the community. As well as a public screening in Abu Dhabi in 2012 as part of the second annual TROPFEST Arabia, shortlisted films will be available for viewing online, providing an excellent opportunity to showcase the talent that exists in the region.
TROPFEST Arabia is an expansion of TROPFEST, which is Australia’s most prestigious short film festival and one of its most iconic cultural events. It is also the largest short film festival in the world.
The annual short film competition is open to anyone who wishes to enter – regardless of their background or experience. TROPFEST Arabia films are unique in that they have all been made specifically for TROPFEST Arabia and include the TROPFEST Signature Item (or TSI), which changes each year. The TSI for TROPFEST Arabia 2012 is “2”.
