FR

Mokhtar

Halima Ouardiri

2010

Written by Halima Ouardiri, and based on a true story, Mokhtar recounts the tale of a young boy who lives with his family of goatherds in a remote, Moroccan village. One day, the boy finds a fallen owl and decides to keep it, despite the fact that the owl is considered a bad omen. Mokhtarʼs new pet becomes a symbol of rebellion against his family and an icon of his fledgling independence. Kinship, religion and spirituality are all confronted in this film that celebrates inner and outer strength.

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CREDITS

Starring
Abdellah Ichiki, Omar Belarbi, S’fia Moussa
Directed & Written by
Halima Ouardiri
Producers
Halima Ouardiri, Mila Aung-Thwin
Executive Producer
Daniel Cross
Director of Photography
Duraid Munajim
Editor
Hélène Girard
Sound Designer
Bruno Pucella
AWARDS

Winner Audience Award of the Amiens Jailhouse Amiens International Film Festival (2011)

Winner Audience Award Short Film Quebec City International Film Festival (2011)

Winner Best Short Film Pacific Meridian International Film Festival of Asia Pacific Countries (2011)

Nominee Best Live Action Short Film Jutra Awards (2011)

Winner Best Multicultural Golden Sheaf Award Yorkton Film Festival (2011)

Winner Best Emerging Filmmaking Award Yorkton Film Festival (2011)

Winner Special Jury Award Cinema Jove International Film Festival (2011)

Winner National Grand Prize Festival REGARD sur le court métrage au Saguenay (2011)

Winner Prix Simplex – Best Short Fiction Film Rendez-Vous du Cinéma Québécois (2011)

Winner Prix TV Premio RTP Curta Onda CurtoCircuito Film Festival (2011)

Winner Grand Prize of the City of Tétouan Festival International du Cinéma Méditerranéen de Tétouan (2011)

Winner Prix du jury des jeunes lycéens Panaroma des cinemas du Maghreb (2011)

Winner Spirafilm for Best Short Award Prends ça court Awards (2011)

Winner Films Séville Award Prends ça court Awards (2011)

Air Canada Award Prends ça court Awards (2011)

UDA Award for Best Actor to Abdellah Ichiki Prends ça court Awards (2011)

Canada TIFF Top Ten (2011)

Winner Most Promising Director of a Canadian Short Film (2010)

Nominee Major Arab Award Dubai International Film Festival (2010)

Quebec Gold (Prends ça court) 2010

Prix TSR for Best International Short Film Cinéma Tous Ecrans (2010)