Egypt’s Feathers wins Best Film at JFF

Egyptian feature film Feathers was among numerous African award winners at the Joburg Film Festival (JFF), which took place in South Africa from January 31 to February 5.

The event was held in partnership with MultiChoice Group and had a jury comprising a range of internationally respected filmmakers and industry experts. They included South Africa’s multi-award winning producer Carolyn Carew; Berlin-based Lesotho filmmaker Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese; published author, columnist and poet Njoko Muhoho; Sundance alumnus and filmmaker Mohamed Siam; and French/Egyptian director and producer Johan El Tah.

Directed by Omar El Zohairy, Feathers won the award for Best Film, while Jessica Beshir’s black and white Ethiopian documentary Faya Dayi was named Best African Film.

The Best Documentary award was won by Nous, étudiants (We, Students) from debut director Rafiki Fariala. The film is from the Central African Republic and captures the daily life of the filmmaker and his friends as they share their thoughts about their future.

Other gongs included the Emerging Storyteller Award, which was won by Siphosethu Tshapu (Milton Empire), and the Global Storyteller Award, won by Phathutshedzo Makwarela and Gwydion Beynon (Tshedza Pictures).

tagged in: Feathers, Joburg Film Festival