IMS-supported ‘Return to Homs’ wins prestigious Sundance award

The IMS-supported documentary film ‘Return to Homs’ has been awarded the prestigious World Cinema Grand Jury Prize at this year’s Sundance film festival

The highest award for international films at Sundance, the World Cinema Jury Prize recognises the best dramatic and documentary work in international independent filmmaking each year.

‘Return to Homs’ is a gripping journey to the devastated Syrian city Homs. From 2011 to 2013, filmmaker Talal Derki followed the journey of two close friends whose lives had been upended by the battle raging in Syria. Nineteen-year-old Basset is a local soccer star—the goalkeeper for the Syrian national team. He has also become an iconic singer in the revolution. His songs reflect his dreams of a peaceful liberation from al-Assad’s regime. Ossama is a 24-year-old media activist and pacifist who wields his camera to capture the revolution. When the army cracks down on Homs these two peaceful protesters finally take up arms.

The IMS-supported documentary ‘Sepideh’ was also nominated for the award. Both ‘Sepideh’ and ‘Return to Homs’ have received support through IMS’ documentary film-making programme.

Support to documentary film production has formed an integral part of IMS’ work to promote dialogue and freedom of expression in the Arab world and Iran since 2005.