The Circuit

The Middle East Int'l Film Festival doled out its $1 million purse tonight, giving its top honors to the Steve Jacob's narrative starring John Malkovich, "Disgrace" ($200,000) and Gonzala Arijon's doc "Stranded: I Have Come from a Plane that Crashed on the Mountains" ($150,000).

Other winners include Elisabeth Chai Vasarhelyi's "Youssou N'Dour: I Bring What I Love" ($125,000).  Actress Ihlam Shaheen for "Fawzia: A Special Blend" and actor Luca Zingaretti for "Wild Blood."  Both will pocket $75,000.

Other winners:

The Black Pearl for Best Artistic Contribution - $75,000
Laila’s Birthday
Screenwriter: Rashid Masharawi

The Black Pearl Audience Choice Award
Saving Luna
Co-Directors: Suzanne Chisholm & Michael Parfit. Producer: Suzanne Chisholm

The Black Pearl for Best Narrative - Short Film- $75,000
The View
Co-Directors: Hazim Bitar & Rifqi Assaf. Producer: Amman Filmmaker Cooperative

The Black Pearl for Best Documentary – Short Film- $75,000
Breadmakers
Director: Yasmin Fedda. Producers: Jim Hickey & Robin Mitchell

The Black Pearl for Best Animation- Short Film- $75,000
Jacinta
Director: Karla Casteneda. Producer: Luis Tellez

Best Advertisement – Cultural Category - $25,000$
Anti Slavery
Director: Eric Lynne. Producer: Partizan Films – Midi Minuit

Best Advertisement – Consumer Category -  $25,000
Battle
Director: Traktor. Producer: Partizan Films – Midi Minuit

Best Advertisement – Artistic Contribution - $25,000
Great Pretender
Director: Patrick Bergh. Producer: Partizan Films – Midi Minuit

The Black Pearl for Best Narrative – Student Films – $25,000
Illusion
Director: Burhan Qurbani. Producer: Fabian Gasmia

The Black Pearl for Best Emerging Filmmaker – Student Films- $25,000
Lullaby
Director: Serena Abi Aad. Producer: IESAV

The Black Pearl for Best Animation – Student Films – $25.000
Adherent
Director: Julian Nazario Vargas. Producer: Rube Baggerud