Amr Gamal

Summary

The Burdened (2023), directed by Amr Gamal, made history as the first Yemeni film to premiere at the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale), competing in the Panorama section and winning two awards. It also became the first Yemeni film to be commercially screened in cinemas in France, Switzerland, and Taiwan, touring festivals across all five continents. The film won the Golden Hugo in the New Directors Competition at the Chicago International Film Festival, among many other global accolades. It explores a Yemeni couple's struggle with the decision to abort due to financial hardship, shedding light on sensitive social issues in a war-torn country.

Prizes

● 2023 Panorama Audience Award (second place), Berlin IFF.
● 2023 Amnesty International Film Award, Berlin IFF
● 2023 The Golden Hugo Award (New Directors Compition), Chicago IFF.
● 2023 Best Script Award, Durban IFF.
● 2023 Jury Award for Best Directing, Valencia IFF.
● 2023 Special Jury Award for Best Film, Taipei IFF.

Special Screenings include

● Berlin international film Festival | 2023
● Beijing international film festival | 2023
● Shanghai international film Festival | 2023
● Sidney international film festival | 2023
● Valencia international film Festival (Spain) | 2023
● Durban international film festival (South Africa) | 2023
● Taipei international film Festival (Taiwan) | 2023

Summary

10 Days Before the Wedding (2018), tells the story of Rasha and Ma’amoon, a couple on the verge of marriage whose plans are disrupted by the aftermath of the 2015 war in Yemen. As they face financial and social obstacles during the 10 days leading up to their wedding, the film sheds light on the larger social and political effects of war on everyday life. Filmed entirely in Aden, it became the first Yemeni film to be commercially screened in over three decades. Due to the lack of cinemas, it was screened in wedding halls and, unexpectedly, ran for eight months, selling over 70,000 tickets. The film gained international recognition, becoming Yemen’s submission for the 2019 Academy Awards and featured in global festivals.

Prizes

● 2019 Casablanca Arabic Film Festival; Morocco | Best Scenario Award
● 2019 Arab Film Festival; Jordan | Audience Award
● 2019 San Diego Arab Film Festival; United States | Audience Award
● 2019 Aswan Women International Film Festival; Egypt | Special Jury Award

Special Screenings include

● Harvard University Screening | April 2019
● United Nations Headquarters Special Screening | April 2019
● United States State Department Special Screening | April 2019
● The National Library of Morocco Special Screening | November 2019
● Smithsonian Museum Special Screening | November 2019