As part of the 10th edition of the Euro-Arab co-production initiative "Inter-Rives 10", organized by the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU) and COPEAM, two outstanding documentaries were awarded for their artistic value and alignment with the theme "The Power of Art: Creativity for Change".
• Best Arab Documentary: The Mask of Life by Fadhia Ben Henda, produced by Tunisian Television.
• Best European Documentary: Dancing Freely by Clara Blázquez, produced by Spanish Television.
The jury praised both films for their audiovisual quality, strong storytelling, and compelling central characters.
A special mention went to Adagio by Ali Al-Kinani (Iraqi Television) for its inspiring portrait of a courageous, independent woman—an emblem of equality and resilience.
“The Mask of Life” – A Story of Redemption through Theater
Abdessalem, 19, overcame a difficult childhood and a troubled past. His life changed after joining a cultural club, where he discovered a passion for theater. With guidance from artist Raouf Ben Yaghlane, he rebuilt his confidence, abandoned drugs, and inspired others through a play based on his journey—proving that art can transform lives.
“Dancing Freely” – Redefining Dance and Inclusion
Esmeralda Valderrama, a dancer and visionary, founded a dance academy in Seville for people with disabilities. One of her students, Heliott, a dancer with Down syndrome, defies stereotypes with his expressive talent. Together, they’ve performed worldwide, showing how art fosters true inclusion and breaks boundaries.
