Shoaib Mansoor wins Best Director at Cairo Film Festival

Karachi: December 11, 2007 - Pakistan's prolific filmmaker Shoaib Mansour brought honor and pride to Pakistan on the international film circuit when he was awarded the Silver Pyramid Award at the Cairo International Film Festival which concluded recently in the port-city of Egypt amid fanfare and participation from renowned stars of Hollywood and other film capitals.

The Special Jury Prize, The Silver Pyramid, was presented to the Director for his film 'Khuda Kay liyay' which made its international debut at the global film festival at Cairo which is now in its 31st year.

Mobilink has played a pivotal role in supporting and reviving the Pakistani cinema culture in Pakistan and hosted the film, its directors and cast at the Cairo International Film Festival. A special 'Pakistan Night' event was also the highlight of Pakistan's representation which was well received by an international audience of celebrities from all over the world.

"I am honored by the enthusiastic response and recognition of my work from the international film community and am equally delighted to receive the Silver Pyramid Award, not just for me but for Pakistan," said the director of the movie after receiving the award at a glittering occasion.

Zouhair A Khaliq, President & CEO, Mobilink opined "Mobilink's commitment to revive and support cinema in Pakistan is a step towards reassuring the industry to produce good films. This award for Khuda Kay Liyay will go a long way in encouraging other talented professionals to produce great films which can make their way to the international film festivals."

The awards announced at the spectacular closing ceremony included, Feature Digital Films Prizes, Silver Award to the film, 'The Englishman' directed by Ian Seller and produced by Mechanical Films Ltd UK; and to 'Little Moth' directed by Peng Tao and produced by New Youth Independent Film Studio, China; the Prize for the Best Arabic Film, presented by the Ministry of Culture went to the film 'Waiting for Pasolini' directed by Daoud Aoulad-Syad and produced by Les Films Du Sud, Morocco; The International Critics Prize, FIPRESCI Prize went to the Director, Juan Patricio Riveroll for his film Opera, Mexico.

Special Mentions were made of the film 'Caramel' directed by Nadine Labaki, Lebanon, and 'The Seventh Heaven' directed by Saad Hendawy, Egypt; and fofr the Actor, Mathew Beard for his role in film, 'And When Did You Last See Your Father' directed by Anand Tucker, U.K.

Several other prizes were awarded to films from Turkey, Mexcico, The Netherlands, France and Russia. The Best Actor Award went to Albert Dupontel for his role in Intimate Enemy; and the Best Actress Award was shared by Marina Magrao Soto (for Opera) and Tatiana Lutaeva (for Full Scope)