Forgiveness Wins Best Film in Women and Zero Discrimination Festival 2016

Forgiveness directed by Rima Irani from Lebanon wins the most prestigious award in International Film Festival For Women, Social Issues & Zero Discrimination (IFFWSZ) 2016. The film tells a story about a woman who went to a psychiatry to heal her soul. This movie focused on the mind of the woman in fighting her miserable pas, to overcome her wounded soul and start a new life. The reason for this experimental short film to become the Best Film is the ability of the director to combine painting technique to represent the mind of the woman. This film is expected to become a therapeutic cinematic art for the audience. This makes Forgiveness unique as a work of art and a tool for healing.

"With this festival, I hope filmmakers from around the globe has an alternative stage to inspire the world. We probably might not be able to change the world with films but by watching the right films, people might become better persons," said Damien Dematra as the Founder and Director of this unique festival.

Awards for winners were presented by Dra. Khofifah Indar Parawansa, the Indonesian Minister of Social Affairs, Dr. Ir. Siti Nurbaya Bakar, M.Sc., the Indonesian Minister for Environment and Forestry, President Director of RRI Dra. Rosarita Niken Widiastuti MSi., Senior Adviser of People Creative Council Lily Wahid and many Indonesian celebrities and government officials including the Ambassador for Women, Natasha Dematra. According to Natasha, Special Award as Filmmaker of Inspiration was given to a female director from Bangladesh Dr. Shahida Akhter with her film Fight Acid Violence which tells the story of thousands of Acid Victims in Bangladesh. Dr. Akhter is a United Nations volunteer who cares about humanity and peace.

The glorious Awards Night was held at the Auditorium Radio Republic Indonesia Jakarta and attended by many winning filmmakers from various country including Dr. Sajan George Kavinkalath, Dr. Shahida Akhter, Derrick Lui, Alfie Law, Alan Nguyen, Ahmed Atef, Sumathy Balaram, and more.

Winning films will be screened from March 7 in Russian Cultural Center Jakarta, Terrace Cibulan, Itinerant Cinema, several high schools, and other places. These films screening will be ended on March 30, which was the Indonesian Film Day.

Secretary General of the Council of Creative People (DKR), Dedeh Kurniasih, said briefly that this event is fully supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, i-Hebat International Volunteers, Terrace Cibulan Cafe, Care for Indonesian Children Foundation (Yayasan Peduli Anak Indonesia), Russian Culture Centre, World Film Council, and Radio Republic Indonesia (RRI) which is the official media partner as well as one of the festivals event organizers.