By Travis Johnson
The Asia Pacific Screen Awards today announced this year’s APSA Cultural Diversity Award nominees. under the patronage of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). The five nominated films, from the Russian Federation, People’s Republic of China, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt, tell stories of everyday life and struggle, forefronting issues of culture and identity
Director General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova said “Investing in culture can transform societies. Creativity can change the world. This is our ultimate renewable energy. Therefore, UNESCO has been supporting APSA’s contribution for sharing common values encompassing human rights, intercultural dialogue, mutual understanding for ten years. UNESCO has granted its patronage to the Cultural Diversity Award for a film practitioner and film for the outstanding contribution to the promotion and preservation of the cultural diversity through the medium of film.”
And the nominees are:
In The Last Days Of The City, the first narrative feature by Egyptian documentary filmmaker Tamer El Said.
Cold of Kalandar by Turkish director Mustafa Kara, which is also Turkey’s official submission for the 89th Academy Awards.
Knife in the Clear Water, the first feature from Chinese director Wang Xuebo.
The Bonfire, the debut feature from Yakut filmmaker Dmitrii Davydov.
The Dark Wind, from director Hussein Hassan.
The winner will be announced at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards in Brisbane on November 24. For more info, go to the official site.
