Al Jazeera Children's Channel wins three Gold Awards at the 14th Cairo Arab Media Festival

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Receiving the awards on behalf of JCC, Mr. Khalil Benkirane, Executive Producer who oversaw the making of 'My Simple Story', expressed his pleasure to see the fruit of their hard work flourish and glitter.

'My Simple Story' is a short feature film, produced by Al Jazeera Children's Channel in 2008 and directed by the awards winning independent Palestinian/Canadian filmmaker Mr. Izidore K. Musallam.

The 36-minute film won a gold creativity prize for Best Film, Best Director, and a reward sum of LE40,000. Moreover the gold creativity prize for Best Child Actor went to 'Wassim Matar', and Best Child Actress to 'Milay Mur Khamiss'; both main cast of the film were rewarded a sum of LE10,000 each.

'It is with great delight that we accept this prestigious award. For the last 13 years the Cairo Arab Media Festival has attracted the best works from private and public production sectors. It makes us very proud to have our production recognized given the rightful cause it represents, 'the right for return for the Palestinian people,'

says Malika Alouane, Director of Marketing and Communications at JCC.

The film illustrates the story of 10-year old 'Sami', and his challenge to helping Abu Salim's donkey return to his ancestral home in the city of Haifa. This fiction was entirely filmed in the Palestinian and Israeli territories.

'My Simple Story' is one of 40 films that JCC is producing in collaboration with renowned Arab and International film directors.

My Simple Story

In a small town in the West Bank of the Occupied Palestinian territories, villagers roam the valleys and the bushes in desperate search of Abou Salim's Donkey.

Nine year old Sami stands on a hill watching the search taking place with his grandfather, fondly named 'Sidi' who explains to him in a tone full of grief how close the donkey is to Abu Salim and how integral a donkey's role is in the lives of Palestinians.

Overwhelmed by the tragedy, Sami is determined to help. Alone he embarks on a search to find the donkey. Unexpectedly, the donkey refuses to return to Abu Salim's home and decides to go back to his ancestral home, the city of Haifa.

Kind hearted Sami is touched by the donkey determination and decides to guide him through journey to Haifa.

Geared up with a map, a fistful of chocolate and a bottle of water, the two will go on a journey in search for home in the dismantled and occupied Palestine.

The film sheds the light over the suffering of the Palestinians who relinquished their homes and belongings over half a century ago, and gives hope with a beam of light to those who live with the belief that one day they would be able to rightfully return.

Strolling the streets of the modern city of Haifa, would it be easy for Sami and his new friend to find home they're looking for? And if they do, will it be the same?

Gold and Recognition Awards

In less than 3 years, Al Jazeera Children's Channel, achieved 9 awards in Arab and International Festivals and Conferences:

• 'Hot Bird TV awards', New Face 2005 Recognition Award for Thematic TV channel, December 12, 2005.

• 'Aljazeera International Festival', Gold Award for Documentary Film by Arab TV Stations, went to 'Pakistan 7.6' on March 30, 2006.

• '50th New York Festivals', Gold and Silver World Medals, for 'Al Sirdab Al Ajeeb' (Magic Cellar), exclusively broadcast on and distributed by JCC in Arabic.

• Syrian Commission for Family Affairs' Seminar 'The effects of War on Arab families', Recognition Award, in July 2007.

• 13th Cairo Arab Media Festival, 'Best Children TV Program' Gold Award, for 'Qal Al Rawi', in December 2007.

• 13th Cairo Arab Media Festival, 'Creativity Prize' for 'Best Director' came for JCC's drama TV series 'Gala Gala', in December 2007.

• Cairo International Film Festival for Children, Gold Award, for the televised magazine 'Tariq Al-Najah', in March 2008.

• Children and Family Prize for short feature film at the 4th Al Jazeera International Documentary Film Festival for 'Pencils without lead', in öApril 2008

• Silver Award at the PROMAX/BDA Arabia for Best Holiday/Seasonal/Special Event Promo 2008 for the 'Children of Iraq' movie promo produced in house by JCC Art and Promotion Department, in May 2008.