Sharjah [UAE], October 3: The 11th edition of the Kalba Short Plays Festival, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, concluded on Tuesday evening at Kalba Cultural Centre.
Sheikh Haitham bin Saqr Al Qasimi, the deputy head of the Ruler's Office in Kalba; Ahmed Bourhima, the theatre department and festival director; and Abdullah Al Owais, the chairman of the department of culture and president of the festival, were present at the occasion.
The jury, led by Dr. Lamis Anwar from Egypt, as well as members Ali Nabil Al Amri, Eissa Kayed from the UAE, Zaid Khalil Mustafa from Jordan, and Nasser Al Abidi from Tunisia, commended His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah's dedication to fostering theatre and nurturing theatrical talents both locally and throughout the Arab world. Over the years, the festival has emphasized its role in nurturing enthusiasts of all ages through workshops and theoretical lectures.
After reviewing the jury's report and recommendations, Sheikh Haitham bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Abdullah Al Owais, Ahmed Bourhima, and Ibrahim Salem, the supervisor of the theatrical elements course, awarded the winners of the 11th edition, which showcased 12 performances from 27 September to 1 October.The play "Farewell Song," inspired by Anton Chekhov's work and directed by Talal Qamber Al Balushi, received several accolades, including Best Performance and Best Director. The Best Actor award went to three actors from the play, Mohammed Anwar Hamza, Mansour Nasser, and Khaled Fahd.
Sakina Fawzi received the Best Actress award for her performance in "Unannounced," sharing the honour with Waad Tariq for her role in "Shakespearians" and Enas Ezzat for her work in "Good Morning."
Jassem Gharib presented "The Sanctuary" with the scenography award. The jury awarded actor Amir Saidi a special honour for his performance in "The Guest," while the Outstanding Theatrical Effort award, presented by Ibrahim Salem, recognised director Massinissa Labt as the most dedicated participant in the theatrical elements course.
Source: Emirates News Agency