After weeks of uncertainty the 39th World Film Festival started on August 27th. The Ecumenical Jury had to decide for an award winner among 24 films screened in the World Competition section. As winnner of the Ecumenical Prize the jury choose "The Midnight Orchestra", directed by Jerôme Coen Oliver, and awarded in addition two Commendations. The main award of the festival, the Grand Prix of the Two Americas, was taken by "Mad Love", directed by Philippe Ramos.
As opening film the festival selected "Muhammed: The Messenger of God", directed by Majid Majidi, a production from Iran with the biggest budget of a film shot in the country ever. It is likely to cause controversies because the depiction of the prophet in many parts of the Muslim world is seen as blasphemic. Majid Majidi became famous by his film "The Colours of Paradise" from 1999, a story about a blind boy.
Link: Homepage des Festivals