Dubai Festival: Tyro Helmer Layla Kaylif Wins IWC Filmmaker Award

Layla Kaylif received the 4th IWC Filmmaker Award sponsored by Swiss watchmaker IWC Schaffhausen at the 12th Dubai Intl. Film Festival. The Emirati director Kaylif won the award for her film “The Letter Writer.”

“This year, yet again, we have received numerous applications for great films that have immensely impressed us. We are proud to see the talents of the region take such great steps forward, and we look forward to further supporting and contributing to the art of filmmaking in the region as a whole,” IWC Schaffhausen CEO Georges Kern said.

This marks the fourth year IWC Schaffhausen has collaborated with DIFF to recognize a filmmaker. Three directors were shortlisted for the award, including Qatari director Khalifa Al Muraikhi for “Sahaab,” Saudi director Shahad Ameen for “Scales” and winner Kaylif, whose drama tells the story of a young, professional letter writer, Khalifa, and his pursuit of Elli, his secret love.

Kaylif founded Canopus Films, a Dubai-based film production company. The IWC Schaffhausen award comes with a $100,000 prize.

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