The merit award - recognizing Al-Muhanna’s “strong international perspective in producing” - was presented by the head of DIFF’s Industry Office, Jane Williams.

“Beit Sha’ar” (English title: Nomad’s Home) is written and directed by the Berlin-based Egyptian film artist Iman Kamel.  The work-in-progress film - which was shot in the Sinai Peninsula by Oscar-winning cinematographer Ute Freund - was a runner-up for the 2009 Desert Door Productions DIFF work-in-progress award.

The project was pre-selected for inclusion in the Dubai Film Connection 2009 by the festival jury along with 15 other projects (from a total 127 applications).

Click here for further details about the DFC.

Flying Moon Filmproduktion was founded in 1999 by Roshanak Behesht Nedjad, Helge Albers and Konstantin Kröning. The company concentrates on the development and production of high quality feature films and feature-length documentaries with a universal audience appeal. An emphasis on international co-productions as well as the development of new talent is of specific importance to the company founders.

Films by Flying Moon were screened successfully on festivals around the world, among them are award- winning projects like HAVANNA MI AMOR - German National Film Award for Best Documentary 2001 and KHAMOSH PANI - Golden Leopard for Best Fiction Film and for Best Actress at the International Film Festival in Locarno 2003. WAITING FOR THE CLOUDS received the Sundance International Filmmaker’s Award for Best European Script in 2003.

As Flying Moon focuses on international co- productions, the producers joined forces with various experienced professionals of the european film business to form a new pan-european company: UNLIMITED SA, based in France. The underlying strategy is to develop a network intended to strengthen the economic and creative resources of the companies involved. Shareholders are Philippe Avril (France), Danny Krausz (Austria), Jacqueline Pierreux (Belgium); Metropolitan Pictures (Netherlands) and Hémisphère Films (Luxembourg).

The show will be hosted be renowned fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi and the inimitable Richard Move as ‘Martha’ (Graham).

Actor-writer Harvey Fierstein (Torch Song Trilogy), performance artist & musician Justin Bond (Shortbus), actress-dancer Bebe Neuwirth (Frasier) and director Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliot) make up the distingushed jury panel for the evening’s festivities.

For further information or to buy tickets, click HERE.

“All in all, it was a great experience for Teymour (the project’s director) and myself – not only because we had the opportunity to develop the script with the guidance of experienced producers and script consultants – but also because we had the chance to meet and network with other filmmakers from the region and to learn more about the projects they were developing and working on themselves.”

The festival’s opening night gala included an appearance by Oliver Stone – who spoke about his recent film “W”.

The premiere of contemporary dance piece “Emergence” at the event on November 14 by Paris-based choreographer Prue Lang set the stage for the award ceremony.  Produced by performance and media curator Talal Al-Muhanna, the piece for three dancers describes the constant emergence of expressive shapes and was inspired by the sculptural diversity of contemporary highrise architecture.

The IHA is bestowed every two years by a jury made up of international experts for a building that stands out for its special aesthetic appeal, future-oriented design, urban sensitivity, sustainability, innovative technology, and cost efficiency.