Iraqi Minister of Youth & Sports Inaugurates Int'l Youth Film Festival

Ahmed Al-Mubarqa, Minister of Youth and Sports in Iraq inaugurated the first session of the Iraq International Youth Film Festival.

"Al-Mubarqa" stressed that the goal of the ministry is to integrate with all sectors to present the festival in the best image, pointing out that the philosophy of the ministry is to take the hand of the youth and put them on the path of professionalism.

He explained that the festival is a great opportunity for interaction between filmmakers and youth, announcing the ministry's support for 12 short films, which was produced by the ministry to support young filmmakers.

Jabbar Jodi al-Abodi, Head of the Iraqi Artists Syndicate said that the festival is not just a cinematic event, but a message of peace and creativity to the world that confirms that Iraq has an artistic voice and cinema, expressing his belief that youth are the pillar of the future and are capable of creativity.

Khalid Al-Zahraw, Director of the Iraqi Film Festival said that the film industry needs both experts and youth, and that the festival is a partnership between the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the youth itself.

Al-Zahraw revealed that the festival includes 71 feature films, documentaries and short films, and offers four main awards. He added that the festival offers 6 grants from the Ministry of Youth and Sports for film projects.

The festival was opened by musician Youssef Abbas, who presented a piece entitled "Departure" and dedicated it to the youth.

A number of Iraqi critics were also present, including Qais Qaim and Alaa Mofarji and others, as well as a number of officials from the Iraqi Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

The festival witnesses a distinguished Egyptian participation through a number of Egyptian films and a large artistic presence.

The red carpet of the first session of the Iraq International Youth Film Festival witnessed the attendance of Egyptian stars Lekaa El-Khamissi, Dalia Mustafa and Ahmed Shaker Abdel Latif, producer Mohamed El-Adl and international oud player Youssef Abbas and a number of Egyptian media personnel, journalists and critics, including Nahed Salah and Rabab El-Sherif.