5th ACGC Film Fest kicks off; two Saudi films to be screened A group photo of Asian Consuls General with the host Japan CG (center) at the opening ceremony of the 5th ACGC Film Festival. By Mohannad Sharawi Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — The Asian Consuls General Club (ACGC) Film Festival kicked off here on Feb. 19 at the residence of Consul General of Japan Jun Yoshida with hundreds of movie enthusiasts, diplomats and Saudi entrepreneurs in attendance. The festival, now in its fifth year, has become a significant example of the cross-cultural spirit characterizing this vibrant coastal city. Yoshida welcomed the attendees and said he hoped they would enjoy the 11 days of the festival which will run until Feb. 29. He spoke before the documentary film “Japan – Sense of Wonder” was screened. “We are very pleased to inaugurate this outstanding annual festival here, with the screening of the Japanese feature film ‘Happy Flight,' a comedy with Arabic subtitles. Most of the scenes are full of excitement and entertainment,” said Yoshida. “Beyond entertainment and the joy of watching a movie, this gathering in fact symbolizes a real cross-fertilization of cultures. We convene here from different continents — including Asia, Europe and Africa — to maintain better understanding of one others' cultures and traditions,” he added. This year's festival features eleven films from different Asian countries, in addition to two Saudi films, “Hidden Evil” by Dr. Fahd Ghazouli and the short drama “Carrom,” directed by Hamza Tarazan. The Saudi films will be screened on Feb. 28. The next feature films to be screened are: “Forever and a Day” from the Philippines, “Adaminte Makan Abu” from India, “Take Off” from Korea, “Hikayat Merong” from Malaysia, “Arumosam Vehi” (Fancy Rain) from Sri Lanka, “Glittering Day” from China, “Fan Chan” (My Girl) from Thailand, “Monpura” from Bangladesh and “Di Bawah Lindungan Ka'bah” (Under the Protection of Ka'bah) from Indonesia. __
