The BRICS Film Festival, an integral part of the Moscow International Film Festival, recently unveiled its distinguished winners. “Hajjan,” a collaborative effort between Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan, directed by Abu Bakr Shawky, clinched the top spot.
The esteemed international jury, chaired by producer, director, and screenwriter Aleksey Pimanov, featured notable figures such as South African actress Florence Masebe and Chinese film critic Zhao Shuguang. Rana Khattab secured the Best Actress Award for her role in “Rat Hole,” directed by Mohammed El-Samman, while Russian actor Aleksander Yatsenko triumphed as Best Actor for “Abnormal” by Ilya Malanin. Abu Bakr Shawky was honoured with the Best Director accolade.
The Special Jury Prize recognised Chinese film “Step towards your Dream Once and for All” by Da Peng. The competition showcased seven films from diverse regions including Russia, China, India, South Africa, and Iran, alongside a rich selection of over 20 films in out-of-competition programmes.
Additionally, the festival’s business programme facilitated discussions on various facets of the film industry, including national film dynamics, distribution, intellectual property rights, and the influence of festivals on global market access. Participants engaged with Russian film producers to explore potential co-production opportunities.
