Black Pearl winners announced at MEIFF closing ceremony

Actor Joseph Fiennes entertained a 1000-strong auditorium for the closing ceremony of the second Middle East International Film Festival awards.

Fiennes managed a few jokes on stage as he pain-stakingly introduced more than 30 industry professionals who in turn announced the winners of the Black Pearl Awards.

The awards were the culmination of ten action-packed days of cinema, with 152 movies shown in five Abu Dhabi venues.
A total of 76 feature films and 34 short films from more than 35 countries competed for the MEIFF 2008 Black Pearl Awards.

Fiennes was joined by French actress Eva Green to announce the winners which preceded a stage show directed and choreographed by Otis Sallid.

MEIFF 2008 Black Pearl Award Winners:

The Black Pearl for Best Narrative Film - $200,000
Disgrace
Director: Steve Jacobs. Producers: Anna Maria Monticelli, Emile Sherman, Steve Jacobs

The Black Pearl for Best Documentary – $150,000
Stranded
Director: Gonzalo Arijon. Producer: Marc Silvera

The Black Pearl Special Jury Prize- $125,000
Youssou N'Dour: I Bring What I Love
Director and Producer: Elisabeth Chai Vasarhelyi

The Black Pearl for Best Actress - $75,000
Fawzia: A Special Blend
Actress: Ilham Shaheen

The Black Pearl for Best Actor - $75,000
Wild Blood
Actor: Luca Zingaretti

The Black Pearl for Best Artistic Contribution - $75,000
Laila's Birthday
Screenwriter: Rashid Masharawi

The Black Pearl Audience Choice Award
Saving Luna
Co-Directors: Suzanne Chisholm & Michael Parfit. Producer: Suzanne Chisholm

The Black Pearl for Best Narrative - Short Film- $75,000
The View
Co-Directors: Hazim Bitar & Rifqi Assaf. Producer: Amman Filmmaker Cooperative

The Black Pearl for Best Documentary – Short Film- $75,000
Breadmakers
Director: Yasmin Fedda. Producers: Jim Hickey & Robin Mitchell

The Black Pearl for Best Animation- Shot Film- $75,000
Jacinta
Director: Karla Casteneda. Producer: Luis Tellez

Best Advertisement – Cultural Category - $25,000
Anti Slavery
Director: Eric Lynne. Producer: Partizan Films – Midi Minuit

Best Advertisement – Consumer Category - $25,000
Battle
Director: Traktor. Producer: Partizan Films – Midi Minuit

Best Advertisement – Artistic Contribution - $25,000
Great Pretender
Director: Patrick Bergh. Producer: Partizan Films – Midi Minuit

The Black Pearl for Best Narrative – Student Films - $25,000 Illusion
Director: Burhan Qurbani. Producer: Fabian Gasmia

The Black Pearl for Best Emerging Filmmaker – Student Films- $25,000
Lullaby
Director: Serena Abi Aad. Producer: IESAV

The Black Pearl for Best Animation – Student Films – $25,000
Adherent
Director: Julian Nazario Vargas. Producer: Rube Baggerud