PARIS, July 10: The Institut du Monde Arabe has held its sixth Biennale des Cinemas Arabes, which has become one of Europe’s principal showplaces for Arab cinema, and has accorded its Grand Prize to “Dreams of Exile” by Mai Masri.

The Special Jury Prize for this year’s festival — which is becoming increasingly known as the Cannes [Festival] of Arab Cinema — went to Carole Mansour for “One Hundred Percent Asphalt”, whereas the IMA Prize for best short subject went to Maryse Gargour for “Pays de Blanche” and to Lyes Salem for “Jean Fares”.

Rashid Masharawi was awarded a special Jury prize for “En Direct de Palestine”, whereas the IMA prize for the best first film went to Yamina Bachir-Choulkh for “Rachida”.

Bernadette Hodeib received the best actress award for “Quand Mariam s’est devoilee” by Assad Fouladkar, while Mahmoud Abdel Aziz was selected best actor for his role in “Le Magicien ou la philosophie du bonheur” by Radwan El Kachel.

The next edition of the Festival of Arab Cinema is to be held during the summer of 2004.