"I dedicate my film to all those who are in love with freedom and peace in Lebanon," said director Bahij Hojeij, after his film won the 100,000 dollar prize in the Best Narrative Film from the Arab World category.
Russian film "Silent Souls" (Ovsyanki), directed by Aleksei Fedorchenko, meanwhile won a Black Pearl in the Best Narrative Film category "for its poetic depiction" and the "excellence of its cinematic language."
The oil-rich Gulf emirate's festival, which ended on Friday, is the most richly endowed among its regional rivals, with Black Pearl awards for each category worth nearly one million dollars (724,000 euros) altogether.
The closing gala evening was attended by stars Uma Thurman and Jonathan Rhys Meyers.
Others awards included: Best Actor: Andrew Garfield in "Never Let Me Go" directed by Mark Romanek, United Kingdom/USA: Best Actress: Lubna Azabal in "Incendies" directed by Denis Villeneuve, Canada/France; and Best Narrative Film by a New Director from the Arab World: "OK, Enough, Goodbye" (Tayeb, Khalas, Yalla) directed by Raniah Attieh and Daniel Garcia, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates.
