Qatar- DFI funded Jordanian film Theeb in Oscar shortlist of nine

Date

12/21/2015 8:05:51 AM

(MENAFN- The Peninsula) A scene from the film Theeb.

DOHA: Theeb a Jordanian film supported by Doha Film Institute (DFI) has made it to the shortlist of nine films for the Oscars Best Foreign Language Film award this year.

Theeb is the only film from the Middle East included in the shortlist of nine chosen out of 81 from various countries.

Directed by Jordanian filmmaker Naji Abu Nowar the critically acclaimed film was selected for a post-production grant by DFI through its Mena Grants Programme in 2013. This first feature film by Nowar won him Best Director at the 71st Venice Film Festival last year and Arab Filmmaker of the Year at the Eighth Abu Dhabi Film Festival 2014 New Horizons Competition.

Theeb achieved commercial success in several Arab countries including Jordan the UAE Lebanon Kuwait Oman and Qatar. It screened in Doha during the Ajyal Youth Film Festival last year and in Novo cinemas early this year.

It also received grants from Abu Dhabi Sanad Fund and Visions Sud Est Fund and was produced by Bayt Al Shawareb in collaboration with Noor Pictures.

Starring Jacir Eid as Theeb (Wolf) the film set in 1916 Arabia tells the coming-of-age story of a boy’s perilous journey into the Arabian desert which has become the hunting ground of Ottoman mercenaries Arab revolutionaries and outcast Bedouin raiders.

The shortlist includes seven films from Europe and one from Colombia. It will be narrowed down to five which will be announced along with other Oscar nominees in various categories on January 14. The winner will be announced at the 88th Academy Awards in Hollywood on February 28.

The Peninsula

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