The Damascus Opera House screened the award-winning short films of the "Homs Film Festival" on Thursday, in an edition distinguished by bearing the name of martyred director Basil Shihada. The event was attended by Minister of Culture Mohammad Yassin Al-Saleh, along with a number of artists, filmmakers, and cinema enthusiasts.
This event underscored the pivotal role of cinema in documenting the events of the Syrian Revolution and preserving national memory, while providing a platform for creators to showcase their works. The screening featured a selection of award-winning films, including "502," "Drought," "The Dead Don't Die," "Viola," "Above," and "Video Collage."
For his part, Minister of Culture Mohammad Yassin Al-Saleh emphasized in his speech the impact cinema has on documenting Syrian experiences, noting that the role of cultural institutions is to empower creators and open creative spaces for them. He also recalled the efforts of director Basil Shihada and filmmakers in documenting events, stressing the need to bridge the gap between creators and official institutions.
Minister Al-Saleh added in a statement to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) that cinema frames the Syrian experience and documents their sacrifices and future, calling for the use of open government spaces to present artistic works that immortalize the Syrian reality. He pointed out the Ministry's understanding of the nature of creators and its emphasis on expanding freedoms without restrictive censorship.
On his part, Jihad Abdo, Director of the General Organization for Cinema, reviewed Basil Shihada's experience, noting his decision to return from the United States to Syria in 2012 to document the events of the Revolution. Abdo affirmed the continuation of efforts to keep cinema as a space for dialogue and human expression, noting that the festival started in Homs as part of a plan to continue its activities in various governorates, reaching villages and towns.
For his part, writer and director Tariq Musharfi, director of the award-winning film "502" which received the Golden Award "Martyr Basil Shihada Award," expressed his pride and gratitude for the support of the Ministry of Culture and the General Organization for Cinema. He clarified that the film's script was written in 2013 during his stay in Canada, inspired by real events that took place in Damascus, before it was transformed into a cinematic work realized on the ground after returning to Syria.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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