International Women's Day Gala:
Wadjda
+ director Q&A and special guests
PRE-RELEASE LONDON EXCLUSIVE
+ SATYAJIT RAY AWARD PRESENTATION
Filmmaker: Haifaa Al Mansour
Fri 8 March, 8.40pm, BFI Southbank
Book now: tickets on sale at bfi.org.uk.
Our 2013 IWD Gala features a special pre-release screening of Venice FF multi-award-winner Wadjda by Haifaa Al-Mansour, Saudi Arabia's pioneering first female feature director.
Saudi Arabia/Germany, 2012, 93 min
Winner:Interfilm Award, CICAE Award & Best Newcomer, Venice International Film Festival, 2013
Winner: Best Film & Best Actress, Dubai International Film Festival, 2012
Saudi Arabia’s first feature film, from breakthrough female director Haifaa Al Mansour, Wadjda won multiple awards at the Venice Film Festival for its inspiring, sharply humorous and gently subversive look at a life in modern-day Riyadh.
Rebellious schoolgirl Wadjda wants a bicycle. When her parents refuse, she determines to raise the money herself. And with her mother distracted by her husband’s plans to take a second wife, Wadjda may just have a chance...
Satyajit Ray Foundation Feature Award 2012 - Gala presentation
We're also thrilled that WADJDA has won this year's Satyajit Ray Foundation Feature Award, which will have a special presentation as part of our Gala event.
The Satyajit Ray Foundation established in 1994 to ensure the work of Satyajit Ray, India's most outstanding Filmmaker, is shown and appreciated worldwide and his particular vision, artistry and humanity continue to be an example and inspiration for generations to come. The Foundation is delighted to present the Award to WADJDA, with Head of Jury Clyde Jeavons describing it as: 'a very well made honest and engaging film, excellently acted by the mainly female leading cast'.
For more information on the Award and the Foundation, visit www.satyajitray.org.uk
The Gala is presented with thanks to the British Council, Arab British Centre, and The May Fair Hotel, supporting our 2013 visiting filmmaker programme.
"★ ★ ★ ★ Boundary-pushing cinema in all the best ways"
Telegraph
"A real discovery from the Middle East and a film that will be one of the most-seen Arab-language films of the year... throws open a curtain on a previously closed world"
Hollywood Reporter