BUDDING directors are being invited to submit their short films to be featured at a festival in April.
The inaugural Bahrain Film Festival, which will be held from April 1 to 5, was scheduled to be held in March last year but had to be cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic despite receiving more than 200 entries from directors representing 14 Arab countries.
The organisers said they are ready to host the festival this year, either virtually or in cinemas should they open before the event.
“We are back and excited to host the Bahrain Film Festival in 2021 featuring short Arabic and English films,” an event organiser told the GDN.
“Last year, despite receiving about 200 entries from different directors and inviting an Arab film personality, the festival was postponed due to the pandemic.”
He added that they have opened registration from Bahraini and Arab directors to submit short films until March 15.
The festival is organised by the Bahrain Cinema Club and in partnership with the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities.
It is an extension of the Bahrain Film Club Competition that was first held in 2017 in which a total of 15 short films by Bahraini directors competed.
The following year 25 short films from Bahrain and others from Arab directors were screened.
“The festival aims to provide a platform for budding film-makers and spread the culture of local films in society,” added the spokesman.
“Our plan is to screen the films in the cinemas if they are opened by April in accordance with Covid-19 protocols.
“Alternatively, the event will be organised virtually.”
He said that a jury will select the best films in different categories such as documentary, drama and animation, with a special category for highlighting women’s issues.
The spokesman said they were in talks with Arab celebrities to take part in the event.
Meanwhile, the organisers are looking for volunteers aged over 18 years to join the activities and take part in different tasks.
For registration and volunteering call 35138329 or email at info@bahrainff.com
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