Eight documentary films produced by the first group of fellow to AIF, the Arab Institute of Film, were presented at the CPH:DOX film festival in Copenhagen. The success may lead to more collaboration between Danish and Arab film makers, says CPH:DOX manager

At the Copenhagen Film Festival CPH:DOX festival in November 2007, Arab documentary film made a significant impression on the predominantly Danish audience. Eight films from Syria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine were screened at the festival, and all eight directors were present at the screenings.

This gave the audience a unique opportunity to discuss the films and pose questions to the directors. The questions ranged from issues relating to the work process itself, to queries about the political situation in the Middle East.

According to Synnøve Kjærland, Manager at CPH DOX, the Arab presence at the festival was enriching and inspiring for the festival as a whole.

“It turned out so well that we’re now looking at a more intense cooperation with the Arab region for the future” says Kjærland.

The directors all belong to the first group of graduates from the Arab Institute of Film (AIF), an organization established in 2005 by a group of Arab film professionals in close cooperation with International Media Support.

The current Executive Director of AIF, Sawsan Darwaza, was called by the festival organizers to serve on the jury for the Amnesty Prize.

The films screened were: