World Cinema Amsterdam competition program announced

All eight films from the competition program are eligible for the World Cinema Jury Award and have a chance to win a prize of  € 5000. The competition program can be seen this year from August 19 to 28 in Rialto De Pijp, De Balie and Rialto VU.

The nominated films are:

1.        Ayten Amin for SOUAD (Egypt, 2021, 96’) - Opening

2.        Arie Esiri & Chuko Esiri for EYIMOFE (Nigeria, 2020, 116’)

3.        Behtash Sanaeeha & Maryam Moghaddam for BALLAD OF A WHITE COW (Iran, 2020, 105’)

4.        Anocha Suwichakornpong for JAI JUMLONG (Thailand, 2021, 69’)

5.        Jéro Yun for FIGHTER (South Korea, 2020, 104’)

6.        Hamy Ramezan for ENSILUMI (Finland, 2020, 82’)

7.        Melina León for CANCIÓN SIN NOMBRE (Peru, 2019, 97’)

8.        Gustavo Pizzi for THE LAST DAYS OF GILDA (Brazil, 2020, 106’) - Closing

Egyptian director Ayten Amin is an all-rounder: she not only directed Souad, she also co-wrote the screenplay and the film was co-produced by her. The film tells the story of 19-year-old Souad, who leads a complex double life. Online, she leads a fun and exciting life, while in the real world she has to conform to the traditional beliefs of her parents.

Brazilian director Gustavo Pizzi is no stranger; his films Riscado (2010) and Benzinho (2017) were previously screened during World Cinema Amsterdam. His most recent film The Last Days of Gilda will close the festival on August 28 . The film tells the story of the colorful and independent Gilda. Her attitude to life is not appreciated by everyone around her; there is no place for 'Gildas' in a traditional suburb of Rio de Janeiro.

The professional jury chooses the best film from the competition program. The jury members are experts from the (inter)national film circuit. The 2021 World Cinema Jury consists of Hugo Emmerzael, Absaline Hehakaya and Shariff Nasr.

The prize winner will be announced on Saturday evening, August 28, prior to the screening of the closing film.