10/18/08 —Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.

2008 Middle East International Film Festival

Betsy on closing night with fellow jury member Egyptian superstar Youssra (far right) and Ilham Shaheen (center), winner of the Best Actress Award for FAWZIA: A SPECIAL BLEND.

The jury included, along with Betsy and Youssra, Mike Goodridge, US Editor of SCREEN magazine and international film director, Abderrahmane Sissako, the President of the jury.

The Black Pearl for Best Documentary was awarded to STRANDED directed by Gonzalo Arijon The Black Pearl for Best Fiction Feature was awarded to DISGRACE, directed by Steve Jacobs A Special Jury Prize was awarded to YOUSSOU N’DOUR: I BRING WHAT I LOVE directed by Chai Vasarhelyi.

Youssou N’Dour performing live at MIEFF party.

The festival, programmed by John McLane and held at The Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi awarded $1 million US to filmmakers, including $150,000 to STRANDED.