'Theeb' wins Grand Prize at Festival International Du Cinéma De Dakhla in Morocco

AMMAN — Naji Abu Nowar's Theeb has added a new award to its "growing list of accolades" by winning the Grand Prize at Festival International Du Cinéma De Dakhla in Morocco, which concluded its sixth round last Wednesday. 

The film has now won 15 awards in total, in addition to its selection to represent Jordan in the Academy Awards as one of the nominated films in the Best Foreign Film category, the feature's distributor, MAD Solutions, said in a statement.

"Theeb" has been screened in 12 countries and premiered in the United States in November. ART network has also begun airing the film exclusively on its screens since November 22, the statement said.

The 100-minute desert adventure was filmed entirely in the southern badia. 

The film's producers collaborated with the bedouin tribes to ensure the authentic depiction of life in the region. The cast was entirely formed from the local tribesmen of these communities, who have lived in the area for hundreds of years, after they were given acting workshops in the eight months prior to principal photography.

"Theeb" is Jordanian director/writer Abu Nowar's first feature film, which he co-scripted with Bassel Ghandour, the statement said. 

Set in the Arabian Desert of 1916, the film follows Theeb, a young bedouin boy, and his brother Hussein as they leave the safety of their tribe to venture on a treacherous journey at the dawn of the Great Arab Revolt. 

"If Theeb is to survive he must quickly learn about adulthood, trust and betrayal," the statement added.

The film stars young Jacir Eid as Theeb, opposite Hussein Salameh, Hassan Mutlag, Marji Audeh and Jack Fox, the only professional actor on the cast.

The crew included Wolfgang Thaler, an award-winning Austrian director of photography, British composer Jerry Lane and British production designer Anna Lavelle. 

The film is edited by Rupert Lloyd.

Ghandour's Bayt Al Shawareb, in association with Lloyd's Noor Pictures produced the film, in co-production with Nasser Kalaji and Laith Majali's Immortal Entertainment. 

Nadine Toukan is the executive producer.

Theeb received sponsorship from the Abu Dhabi SANAD Fund, the Doha Film Institute as well as the Visions Sud Est Fund.

Awards at international festivals

• Best Director Award at Orizzonti (New Horizons) Competition at Venice Film Festival

•  Variety magazine selected Naji Abu Nowar as Arab Filmmaker of the Year in 2014

•   A Special Mention at BFI London Film Festival

•   The New Horizons Best Film from the Arab World and the FIPRESCI Award for Best Narrative Film at Abu Dhabi Film Festival

•   A Certificate of Appreciation within Prospects of Arab Cinema section at Cairo International Film Festival 

•   Student Jury Special Mention for actor Jacir Eid at the Carthage International Film Festival

•   Best Directorial Debut Award at the Directors' Debuts Competition within the International Film Festival of the Art of Cinematography (CAMERIMAGE) in Poland 

•   The Main Award (The Belgrade Victor) and the Award for Best Script at the 43rd Belgrade International Film Festival

•   Best Screenplay Award at the Miami International film Festival

• Audience Award at Las Palmas International Film Festival 

• Best Debut Film at the Beijing International Film Festival