Human Film

IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE, 6th October 2009

Dutch Film Industry backs home grown talent:
Mohamed Al-Daradji & Human Film NL

HUMAN FILM NL is a Rotterdam-based Dutch film company that was established in 2005 by Mohamed Al-Daradji (critically acclaimed for 'ALHAAM', 2005), Isabelle Stead and Daniel Evans, with an aim of prod...ucing films that debate crucial social issues. The company is growing internationally alongside it’s sister company Human Film in the UK.

HUMAN FILM NL has flourished quickly through the creative driving force of Dutch/Iraqi filmmaker Mohamed into a well respected and established international production company that is eager to contribute to the Dutch film industry’s promotion.

HUMAN FILM NL is committed to producing cutting-edge projects that will provide a long term contribution to the Dutch film industry, bringing exposure beyond it’s borders. Proof of this being 'SON OF BABYLON', the upcoming project by HUMAN FILM NL which has received funds from two of the main Dutch film support agencies - ithe Netherlands Film Funds & Rotterdam Media Fund, will later this week have a world premiere in Official Selection at the Middle East International Film Festival in Abu Dhabi, Friday, October 9, 6:30 pm, Emirates Palace.

'SON OF BABYLON', a 35mm feature film of a willful young boy that follows his just-as obstinate grandmother in a journey across Iraq, determined to discover the fate of her missing son, Ahmed’s father, who never returned from war.

HUMAN FILM NL has gained significant support thanks to its aspiration to produce exciting and inspiring films that has shown a clear commitment to fortify the Dutch audiovisual industry. The company had received recognition by the Netherlands in the past when it launched feature films 'Alhaam', 2005 at the Rotterdam Film Festival. Where the film also received support for international distribution through the Hubert Bals Fund. In addition the company hosts filmmaking workshops for underprivileged filmmakers in the Middle East, receiving support from Hivos and Doen Funds.

HUMAN FILM NL’s next film "In the Sands of Babylon" swept all the kudos at San Sebastian's Cinema in Motion showcase and is due to launch later in 2010. Al-Daradji & Stead screened 45 minutes of "Sands" -- which is a prequel to "Son" -- at Cinema in Motion, a films-in-progress showcase for movies from the Arab world and Portuguese-speaking Africa.


NOTES FOR EDITORS:

For further information, press, marketing and interview opportunities please contact Isabelle Stead at isabelle@humanfilm.co.uk, or by telephone: +44 (0)113 243 8880. http://wwww.humanfilm.co.uk


SON OF BABYLON The film is a multi-national collaboration that has united a number of well-respected organisations including: Sundance Institute (US), UK Film Council, Screen Yorkshire (UK), CNC (France), Pyramedia/Pyramovies, ADACH (UAE), Mawred Fund (Egypt), Hivos, Doen, Nederland and Rotterdam Film Fonds (Netherlands), Doha Film Fund (Qatar). The film’s world sales agent is Roissy Film (FR) and it’s Arab world distributor is Sunnyland ART (Egypt).

Nederlands Film Fund (NL) – National Screen Agency for Netherlands, responsible for supporting film production and cinema.

Rotterdam Media Fund (NL) – Funding for filmmaking taking place in the region of Rotterdam.

Hubert Bal Fund (NL) - An initiative of the International Film Festival Rotterdam that provides grants to remarkable cinema projects in various stages of completion.

Hivos (NL) – NGO guided by humanist values, working towards equal access to resources and opportunities for development.

Doen Foundation (NL) – working towards the achievement of a livable world in which everyone has a place, through subsidising and loaning projects whilst promoting culture.Read More