Post-Apartheid movie scoops festival top prize

BEST PICTURE: Australian director Steve Jacobs and producer Anna Maria Monticelli pose for pictures after winning the Black Pearl awards for Best Film and Best Director for their film Disgrace. (AFP)

Disgrace, a searing drama set in post-apartheid South Africa, scooped the Black Pearl award for best picture at the climax of the Middle East International Film Festival in Abu Dhabi on Sunday night.

The movie, based on a novel of the same name by Nobel laureate JM Coetzee and starring US actor John Malkovich, was directed by Steve Jacobs. It was awarded the first prize of $200,000.

A total of 76 feature films and 34 shorts were submitted from filmamkers in 34 countries for the festival, which began on October 10, according to organisers.

Main awards:

Best film - "Disgrace" by Steve Jacobs ($200,000).

Best documentary - "Stranded" by Gonzalo Arijon ($150,000).

Special jury prize - "Youssou N'Dour: I Bring What I Love" documentary by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi ($125,000).

Best actress - Ilham Shaheen for her role in "Fawzia: A Special Blend" ($75,000).

Best Actor - Luca Zingaretti for his role in "Wild Blood" ($75,000).

Best artistic contribution - Rashid Masharawi, scene writer for "Laila's Birthday" ($75,000).

Best short film - "The View" by Hazim Bitar and Rifqi Assaf ($75,000).

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