Muna | |
---|---|
![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Warda Mohamed |
Written by | Warda Mohamed |
Produced by |
|
Starring | Kosar Ali |
Cinematography | Olan Collardy |
Edited by | Mdhamiri Á Nkemi |
Music by | Cassie Kinoshi |
Production companies |
|
Distributed by | T A P E Collective |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 19 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Languages |
|
Muna is a 2023 British short drama film written and directed by Warda Mohamed. The film starring Kosar Ali in titular role is about teenage dreams, dislocated grief and unexpected connection, following a British-Somali teen navigating a confusing mourning period for a family member she never met. [1]
It was selected in the Generation 14plus section at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival, where it had its International premiere on 20 February and competed for Crystal Bear for the Best Film. [2]
A British-Somali teenager Muna, eagerly wants to join her school trip. She hopes to have fun with her friends, escape the monotony of her home life, and create a greatest playlist. However, her parents are hesitant. Tragedy strikes when her grandfather passes away in Somalia. Muna grapples with mourning for someone she never truly knew, all while still trying to convince her mother about the trip. As she prepares for the wake, Muna reflects on her own life and discovers unexpected connections with her late grandfather.
The film was produced by Monegram, with BBC Film, Pink Towel Productions, and Rendition Films as co-producers. [3]
Muna was screened at 2023 BFI London Film Festival in 'Network@LFF Shorts' section under 'Programme 1' on 7 October 2023. [4]
The film was screened at the London Short Film Festival under LSFF 2024: 'London Lives' on 25 January 2024. [5]
It had its International premiere on 20 February 2024, as part of the 74th Berlin International Film Festival, in Generation 14plus. [6] [7] [8]
Award | Date | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Raindance Film Festival | 4 November 2023 | Best Short Film of the Festival | Muna | Nominated | [9] |
British Short Film Awards | 7 November 2023 | Best Short Film | Won | [10] [11] | |
Best Actress | Kosar Ali | Won | |||
British Independent Film Awards | 3 December 2023 | Best British Short Film | Warda Mohamed, Angela Moneke and Simon Hatton | Nominated | [12] |
London Film Critics' Circle | 4 February 2024 | British/Irish Short Film of the Year | Warda Mohamed | Nominated | [13] [14] |
Berlin International Film Festival | 25 February 2024 | Generation 14plus Crystal Bear for Best Feature Film | Warda Mohamed | Nominated | [6] |
The Berlin International Film Festival, usually called the Berlinale, is a major international film festival held annually in Berlin, Germany. Founded in 1951 and originally run in June, the festival has been held every February since 1978 and is one of Europe's "Big Three" film festivals alongside the Venice Film Festival held in Italy and the Cannes Film Festival held in France. Furthermore, it is one of the "Big Five", the most prestigious film festivals in the world. The festival regularly draws tens of thousands of visitors each year.
The 60th annual Berlin International Film Festival was held from 11 to 21 February 2010, with Werner Herzog as president of the jury. The opening film of the festival was Chinese director Wang Quan'an's romantic drama Apart Together, in competition, while the closing film is Japanese director Yoji Yamada's About Her Brother, which was screened out of competition.
Joanna Hogg is a British film director and screenwriter. She made her directorial and screenwriting feature film debut in 2007 with Unrelated followed by Archipelago (2010), Exhibition (2013), The Souvenir (2019), The Souvenir Part II (2021), and The Eternal Daughter (2022). Two of her films topped the Sight & Sound annual poll for best film in their respective years, receiving nominations at the British Independent Film Awards, the Independent Spirit Awards and at the Berlin International Film Festival.
The 69th annual Berlin International Film Festival took place from 7 to 17 February 2019. French actress Juliette Binoche served as the Jury President.
The 70th annual Berlin International Film Festival took place from 20 February to 1 March 2020. It was the first under the leadership of new Berlin Film Festival board: business administration director Mariette Rissenbeek and artistic director Carlo Chatrian.
Kosar Ali is a British actress. Her debut role in the 2019 film Rocks leading her with a nomination at only 17 for Best Supporting Actress at the 74th British Academy Film Awards whilst also being the youngest recipient to win two British Independent Film Awards. She plays Victoire in Dangerous Liaisons on Starz.
The 72nd annual Berlin International Film Festival, usually called the Berlinale, took place from 10 to 20 February 2022 in person. On 15 December 2021 the first film of the festival was announced.
Sarvnaz Alambeigi is an Iranian documentary film director, film producer, painter, and poet. Her most notable works are 1001 Nights Apart and Maydegol.
The British Independent Film Awards 2022 were held on 4 December 2022 to recognise the best in British independent cinema and filmmaking talent from United Kingdom. The nominations were announced on 4 November 2022 by actors Sam Claflin and Kosar Ali during an event in London. Aftersun led the nominations with 16, followed by Blue Jean with 13 and The Wonder with 12. The ceremony took place at Old Billingsgate in London and was hosted by Ben Bailey Smith.
The 73rd annual Berlin International Film Festival, usually called the Berlinale, took place from 16 to 26 February 2023. It was the first completely in-person Berlinale since the 70th in 2020. The festival added a new competition section for television series.
The British Independent Film Awards 2023 were held on 3 December 2023 to recognise the best in British independent cinema and filmmaking talent from United Kingdom. The ceremony took place at Old Billingsgate in London, and was hosted by English comedian Lolly Adefope and British actor Kiell Smith-Bynoe.
The 44th London Film Critics' Circle Awards honoured the best in film of 2023, as chosen by the London Film Critics' Circle. All films are automatically eligible if they are released in UK cinemas or premiere via streaming service between mid-February 2023 and mid-February 2024. The ceremony was held on 4 February 2024 at The May Fair Hotel in London. The nominations were announced on 20 December 2023 by actors Jing Lusi and Ényì Okoronkwo. All of Us Strangers received the most nominations with nine, followed by Oppenheimer with seven.
Last Swim is a 2024 British coming-of-age film directed by Sasha Nathwani, from a screenplay by Nathwani and Helen Simmons.
Who by Fire is a 2024 Canadian-French drama film written and directed by Philippe Lesage. The film starring Noah Parker and Aurelia Arandi-Longpré is about a film-loving teenager Jeff, who spends a vacation with his best friend Max's family in a remote log cabin.
Elbow is a 2024 coming-of-age drama film co-written and directed by Aslı Özarslan in her directorial debut. The film an adaptation of Franz-Hessel-Preis and Klaus-Michael Kühne prize winner German novel Ellbogen by Fatma Aydemir is a story of 17-years old Hazal, who lives in Berlin. Her biggest wish for her 18th birthday is to escape the everyday grind and party with her friends. But a fatal incident changes everything and she is forced to flee.
Maydegol is a 2024 documentary film written and directed by Sarvnaz Alambeigi. The work is about an Afghan teenager Maydegol, an immigrant in Iran, who strives to pursue her dream of becoming a professional Muay Thai boxer while battling the social injustice and violence she encounters beyond the ring.
The Major Tones is a 2023 Spanish-language fantasy mystery film written and directed by Ingrid Pokropek in her feature directorial debut. Starring Sofía Clausen in her screen acting debut, the film tells the story of fourteen-year-old Ana, who discovers that the metal plate she has in her arm from an accident she suffered as a child is now receiving a strange message in Morse code.
Fin is a 2023 Philippine mystery drama film written and directed by Ryan Machado in his directorial debut. The film starring Shun Mark Gomez, Bon Andrew Lentej, and Cedrick Juan is about a 16-year-old boy in 2001 who, while searching for his father in the most unlikely of places, becomes mystified by two movie-like characters who appear in his small town.
Cura sana is a 2024 Spanish short drama film written and directed by Lucía G. Romero. It tells the story of Jessica and Alma, two sisters, who are victims of domestic violence at home and therefore treat each other with violence.
Lapse is a 2023 Brazilian short drama film written and directed by Caroline Cavalcanti. It tells the story of Bel and Juliano, two teenagers living in the suburbs of Belo Horizonte in Brazil. Bel, who is turning 18, is deaf and faces the challenges of communication by sign language.