LAMB shortlisted for the Arab Critics Awards for European Films
Lamb, the debut feature from Icelandic writer/director Valdimar Jóhannsson, is among four films shortlisted for this years Arab Critics' Awards for European Films, launched by European Film Promotion (EFP) and the Arab Cinema Center (ACC). The winning film will be awarded at the Cairo International Film Festival in a gala ceremony on December 1.
Lamb is a supernatural drama about an Icelandic couple who live with their herd of sheep on a beautiful but remote farm. When they discover a mysterious newborn on their land, they decide to keep it and raise it as their own. This unexpected development, and the prospects of a new family, brings them much joy before ultimately destroying them.
The film was directed by Valdimar Jóhannsson, written by Jóhannsson and the acclaimed Icelandic poet, novelist, and screenwriter Sjón. It is an Iceland/Sweden/Poland coproduction and was produced by Hrönn Kristinsdóttir and Sara Nassim at Iceland's Go to Sheep. International sales for Lamb are being handled by New Europe Film Sales.
A total of 26 films were nominated and submitted by the European national film institutions, EFP's member organisations. The Icelandic Film Centre is a member of the organisation.
The Arab Critics' Awards for European Films was launched in 2019 by EFP and ACC. It is a spin-off from the ACC's now well-established Critics' Awards to boost film diversity in the region and raise the interest of sales and industry for outstanding European films. This initiative also aims to cast light on the distinguished film critics from 15 Arab-speaking countries and their important role in opening up new perspectives and bridging cultural idiosyncrasies.