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Murk Light, a short Emirati movie directed by Iraqi filmmaker Yasir Al Yasiri and supported and produced by twofour54 creative lab, a Media Zone Authority – Abu Dhabi, company, has been nominated for the category Best Narrative Shorts in the 12th edition of the Tribeca Film Festival (TFF) that will run April 17 through April 28, 2013. The New York festival is one of the leading festivals for independent films and one of the few Oscar-qualifying film festivals worldwide.  Murk Light was selected for the Festival out of over 2,800 submissions.

The 20 minute short film, starring some of today’s leading Emirati actors, narrates the journey of two characters, discovering dreams, escape and friendship on their way. It’s a journey of self-discovery, leading to an unidentified destination.

Noura Al Kaabi, Chief Executive Officer, the Media Zone Authority – Abu Dhabi and twofour54 said: “Murk Lights’ nomination for Tribeca Shorts is an endorsement of the high caliber work that is being supported by twofour54 creative lab. The aim of creative lab has always been to identify emerging Arab talent and support them with developing their own creative ideas. Yasir is a great example of a filmmaker whose journey with creative lab has seen him transform into an award-winning international filmmaker.  We are incredibly proud of Yasir and the creative lab team that helped him make it happen.”

Al Yasiri, who is from Iraq, but lives in the UAE, started his film career in 2003, directing a variety of TV commercials and music videos.  As a celebrated director in the Middle East, Al Yasiri shot his first TV series ‘So Hard to Tell’ in 2010, which aired on TV channels in the Middle East. Murk Light is his first film. He is currently setting up a production company at twofour54 Abu Dhabi and working on a TV series and ideas for two feature films.

Yasir Al Yasiri said: “To be recognized by such a renowned festival is an honour for me and for the film’s many talented contributors from the UAE film industry. I am very much looking forward to attending the festival, see how New Yorkers will resonate to my story, and network with other filmmakers and distributors. It really does feel like a dream come true.”

Murk Light was premiered at 2012 Abu Dhabi Film Festival and won two awards; first prize in the Short Narrative Competition, and best cinematography. The film has received glowing acceptances in the regional and international film festival circuit, screening at five festivals to date. In the course of 2013, Murk Light will also screen at the annual Geneva Film Festival.

The 2013 Tribeca Film Festival, today announced its lineup of 60 short films, which Murk Light is amongst. The recipient of the Tribeca Film Festival’s Best Narrative Short award will qualify for consideration in the Short Film category of the annual Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, provided the film otherwise complies with the Academy rules. More than 6,000 films from 30 countries were submitted to this year’s festival, which was established more than a decade ago to revitalize the New York neighborhood devastated by the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center.

To find out more about Murk Light visit:

http://www.facebook.com/YasirAlyasiri 

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