“This year, yet again, we have received numerous applica- tions for great films that have immensely impressed us. We are proud to see the talents of the region take such great steps forward, and we look forward to further sup- porting and contributing to the art of filmmaking in the region as a whole,” commented Georges Kern, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen.

For the fourth consecutive year, IWC Schaffhausen col- laborated with the DIFF to grant one talented filmmaker from the region the esteemed award. This year’s winning project was selected from three shortlisted scripts which were evaluated by a jury comprising film industry experts from the region along with IWC CEO Georges Kern and DIFF Chairman Abdulhamid Juma. Accompanying them on the jury was the leading expert on Arab cinema, DIFF Artistic Director Masoud Amralla Al Ali. The jury was head- ed by Palestinian director Hany Abu-Assad and Tunisian actress Hend Sabry.

The event’s master of ceremonies was IWC brand ambas- sador and television personality Raya Abirached, who highlighted the work of IWC Filmmaker Award winners of previous years Maysoon Pachachi and Abdullah Boushahri. The Swiss luxury watch manufacturer also welcomed inter- national VIP guests and celebrities, including notable IWC brand ambassador Dev Patel, who attended the “For the Love of Cinema” gala dinner hosted by IWC and the DIFF. Also among the guests were Turkish actress Tuba Büyüküstün, American actor Richard Dreyfuss, British- Emirati filmmaker Ali Mostafa, Lebanese actress Razane Jammal, and Editor in Chief for gheir.com, Zoya Sakr.

AND THE WINNER IS ...

This year, three filmmakers were shortlisted for the award: Qatari director Khalifa Al Muraikhi for his project “Sahaab”, Saudi director Shahad Ameen for her feature “Scales” and Emirati director Layla Kaylif for “The Letter Writer”.

Layla Kaylif was selected as the winner by the revered jury, and was presented with the USD 100,000 prize. Layla Kaylif also received an IWC timepiece.

LAYLA KAYLIF: “THE LETTER WRITER”

Aspiring Emirati director Layla Kaylif is the founder of the Dubai-based film production company Canopus Films, and her latest feature is “The Letter Writer”. The film is a romantic drama which tells a story of deception and lies as a young boy, Khalifa, uses his skills as a professional letter writer for personal gain at the expense of his trusting customers. One such customer is Mr Mohamed, the ow- ner of a drapery shop, whom Khalifa befriends and assists in corresponding with his secret love, Elli. However, when Khalifa catches a glimpse of Elli for the first time, he is in- stantly smitten and begins a secret and forbidden pursuit of Elli’s affections behind Mr Mohamed’s back.