DUBAI: Saudi filmmaker Haifaa Al-Mansour’s female empowerment feature “Miss Camel” won the IWC Filmmaker Award worth $100,000, during the Dubai International Film Festival.
A jury headed by Cate Blanchett selected “Miss Camel” as the winner among four Arab projects. Blanchett announced the winner during a gala event on Thursday.
Al-Mansour made news in 2012 with “Wadjda,” about a 10-year-old Saudi girl who wants to ride a bicycle in her country. It was Saudi Arabia’s first-ever entry in the Foreign Language Film category for the 2013 Oscars.
She recently directed the English-language biopic “Mary Shelley” starring Elle Fanning, which made its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival and was recently picked up for US distribution by IFC Films.
“Miss Camel” is about a Saudi teen named Hayla “who will do anything to escape her arranged marriage and fulfil her goal of attending art school outside of Saudi Arabia,” according to its synopsis.
While scheming to make her way to the in-person interviews for the art college in a neighboring Gulf state, Hayla makes a startling discovery at her cousin’s wedding – she can talk to animals.
Haifaa Al-Mansour’s ‘Miss Camel’ wins IWC award at DIFF
Haifaa Al-Mansour’s ‘Miss Camel’ wins IWC award at DIFF
