"Benghazi" to welcome the 3rd Arab Independent Screen Festival for Documentaries and Short Feature Films.

The city of Benghazi is preparing to host the 3rdedition of the Arab Independent Screen Festival for Documentaries and ShortFeature Films. Founder and president of this festival, director and producerMohammed Makhlouf, said that this edition is the auspices of "Local Councilin Benghazi" with the support of many media and private institutions. Headded that choosing Benghazi as a platform for the launch of the festival inits third edtion, will prove it is a center for culture and civilization, whichrequires extra effort, a bigger budget and a more structured and accurateorganization. Makhlouf believes that this will turn the festival into a newcenter and interface for documentaries and short films which will give a permanentplace on the map Arabic and International festivals.

Makhlouf added that the festival is takingplace from 19 to 23 February with the participation of many Arabic countries.The festival will include training workshops to develop young talents and tobenefit from their energy and fresh ideas particularly from Benghazi as it willgive them a chance to explore their issues.

Also, Makhlouf said that the Arab ScreenFestival is and will always be devoted towards the Arabic cultural which was praisedby critics of Arabic countries and worldwide. This was reflected by the largeattendance marked in its first edition which took place in London in 1999 andits second in Doha in 2001. The success of the festival was also marked by the continuousparticipation request from Arabic and International Filmmakers since it startedtill date which highlighted potential and promising young Arabic cinematicwhether in making documentaries or short feature films. Makhlouf assured thatthis requires to make this festival periodically which converts it into aunique and bright international cultural event.