\"Khatawat\" short films festival concludes activities

The short films festival Khatawat (Steps) concluded activities on Thursday with the participation of nine youth films. The event is organized by Shabab Society for Arts and the Syrian Youths Council in cooperation with the Culture and Tourism Ministries. Member of the judges panel, artist Sulaf Fawakhirji, said that the festival is an important step towards promoting cinema in Syria, adding that "Holding this event in these circumstances stresses our strength and resolve to continue our activities." Director of the festival, Majd Younes Ahmad, said that it witnessed a vast public and artistic turnout, adding that all participating films were showed for the first time as the festival tries to contribute to the cinema industry in the country. The participants said that the festival allowed them to interact and share views and visions on the current and future situation of cinema in Syria, adding that the awards motivate them to exert more effort as to produce quality films. The movie "Happiness" was awarded the First Certificate of Appreciation award, while the movie "Minutes of Wax" came second. "Waking Up" was awarded the best director award and "Trembling" won the amateur movie award.