The Circuit

For the filmmakers at well-attended Variety MEIFF party, the jet lag fog had just started to lift.  The extremes at the festival have worked all week to keep people disoriented - the revolving doors between the extreme hot outside and cold inside, the free flowing campaign, the mirrored surfaces, and football field sized hallways that never end.  Every day there's been a reception but last night's finally felt alive, a prelude to tonight's awards ceremony.

"Caramel" director Nadine Labaki was honored with the Middle East Filmmaker award, pictured with MEIFF's Mohamed Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Variety's Ali Jaafar, festival director Jon Fitzgerald, and Variety's Alberto Lopez.


Earlier, Paul Haggis, pictured with Jaafar, gave a Master's Class to local students.  Journalists were allowed to listen for 15 minutes before being asked to leave.


"I Love Hip Hop Morroco" filmmaker Jennifer Needleman asked what would happen if these falcons' blindfolds were removed.  "The birds would try to take your hair," was the answer.  The gentleman then proceeded to show her a bloody finger, which the bird had apparently tried to take earlier.