Moroccan film 'Halima' wins top awards at Shanghai festival; director criticizes government support

The Moroccan film 'Halima' won Best Director and Best Actress at the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival, its first appearance in the competition in 27 years.

• The film, self-financed by director Yassine Idrissi, was produced on a modest budget and took two years to prepare and shoot.
• Idrissi said he applied for government support from the Moroccan Cinematographic Center six times without success.
• Idrissi criticized the film support system, stating it lacks a mechanism to evaluate the results of funded films.
• The film sold approximately half a million tickets during the festival.