Women's empowerment, children's rights and tackling sectarian tensions will be the focus of more than 15 short films to be screened at a festival later this month at the Bahrain International Unity Film Festival.

The second edition of the event will take place from May 28-31 at the Alumni Club.

It is being organised by the Bahrain Youth Society (Al Shabiba) and is set to feature acclaimed films and documentaries by Bahraini and international filmmakers.

'We have shortlisted more than 15 short films directed by Bahrainis that will be screened along with more than 80 films and documentaries from 100 countries during the festival,' said festival organiser Hussain Al Oraibi.

'These are films that depict the message of unity, have an international appeal and bring important issues in spotlight such as poverty, women's empowerment and social issues.'

Films to be screened include Mahmood Al Shaikh's Rainbow, about a teenage girl's dream to become a hairstylist that is thwarted by her exposure to sexual harassment at the hands of her mother's friend.

Hussain Al Jamri's 15-minute film On Shores revolves around a blind child who tries to help his father fulfil a wish.

Child abuse will also be highlighted in the 32-minute Budoor, which exposes the cruelty faced by a girl whose father locks her in a room after discovering his wife is cheating on him.

Another Mahmood Al Shaikh-directed film, My Love Adraa, is also set to premiere at the festival.

Its plot revolves around a plane crash many years ago, whose anniversary is commemorated by the main character Mustafa.

Meanwhile, films by non-Bahrainis will include internationally-acclaimed Kurdish director Sahim Omar Kalifa's Bad Hunter, along with the 10-minute film I Exist about the plight of Syrian children in refugee camps.

Saudi director Shahad Ameen's film Eye and Mermaid about a fisherman's daughter Hanan, who looks up to her father and wants to go out to sea but is not allowed because of customs and traditions, will also be featured at the festival, as will Iranian director Ali Asgari's More Than Two Hours and The Baby.

In addition to the screenings there will be workshops on scriptwriting, Al Oraibi said, as well as talks with some of the biggest names in the Arab and Gulf film industry.

'We have works of acclaimed filmmakers from Spain, Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, China, France, Germany and other countries screened throughout the festival,' he said.

At the end of the event a panel of judges will select the top three Bahraini filmmakers, who will each take home BD1,000 ($2,625) to fund their future productions, and awards for the best international films will also be handed out. – TradeArabia News Service