2020/2021 Winners & Shortlists

Write a short summary of what happens in the film

It’s a story of a little child in Ramadan, but it’s not a typical Ramadan story. Because she’s not simply celebrating Ramadan. She’s on a mission to share it with someone far away. It starts at Suhour (the start of the daily fast) and culminates pre-Iftar (the breaking of the fast) and around Iftar. It’s a real-world magical journey. Throughout, we feel it’s a grandfather or someone from her family, but the film reveals, when she reaches snowy landscapes and approaches a wooden home, that she’s wishing Ramadan Mubarak to Santa Claus. Someone who hasn’t yet celebrated the spirit of Ramadan. Someone who no one has shared the spirit of Ramadan with; representing many around the world whom the spirit of Ramadan hadn’t truly touched or shared with. The story's end leaves viewers with a meaningful reminder, “How far does the spirit of Ramadan travel? As far as we go.”

Cultural / Context information for the jury

The world today is more divided that ever before. Even in Ramadan, a month that encourages humility, understanding and compassion, the world, in itself, doesn’t seize to put down its divides. It often remains a world of “us” vs “them”. Muslims celebrate Ramadan. The world doesn’t. So, what if Almosafer, a Saudi travel brand, reminded Saudi Arabia, the region and the world, Muslims AND non-Muslims, that Ramadan was for everyone, sharing a Ramadan message like never before, that travelled from Saudi Arabia and the Middle East to the world? We created an iconic Almosafer Ramadan story that takes the spirit of Ramadan abroad to people and places who haven’t / don’t celebrate Ramadan, starting with a symbol relevant to one faith i.e. Christianity: Santa Claus. And made the generosity and inclusivity of Ramadan travel, representing what Ramadan is all about: living together, harmoniously, side-by-side as different nationalities, religions and races.

Tell the jury anything relevant about the direction. Do not name the director.

The girl’s character needed to personify Ramadan’s values; folding the map, returning for her teddy and putting the seatbelt on by herself (caring), planning her journey on her hand-drawn map (steadfast), saving the dates for the person she was visiting (generous), assisting the taxi-driver with a bag (helpful), approaching strangers with a smile (welcoming) and offering her own dates to Santa (selflessness). While the story was a child’s journey, it was important to add an underlying cultural subtext around islamophobia; a prevalent global tension. The girl is prejudiced against by adults, owing to her scarf, but interestingly, not by children who see the world just like she does. The old man had to BE Father Christmas! Importantly, the soundtrack, a love song to Ramadan, was composed before filming, with lyrics written for each film’s scenes. So, on set, it enabled the actors and the crew to feel the mood needed.