49 concourse films from 30 countries were demonstrated in the capital. All films evoked interest in audience and were finished by applause. Mass media representatives took an active part in the festival.

Mintimer Shaimiev and Catherine Deneuve opened Golden Minbar

Moustapha Akkad was born in Aleppo. Syria in 1930. His passion for movies grew at an early age and this is why at the age of 19 he wanted to go to the States and follow his dream. When he left Syria his father gave him the money for the ticket and a copy of the Qura'an, telling him it was all he could manage. In the USA he studied theatre arts at UCLA and got his masters from USC. He started his professional work in TV where he did a biography on the different ethnic groups in the States and how their backgrounds affect their lives in America. NBC offered him a better salary if he chose not to put his name on the project, and this is where he learned a great lesson. That for a film maker recognition is more important than money. In 1976 he made his first feature film, The Message, where he directed and produced; the film was about the birth of Islam starring Anthony Quinn and Irene Papas. The film did not score at the American box office because the face of the prophet Mohammed (the main character in the movie) did not show on the screen due to religious reasons, but it did very well world wide.

In 1978 John Carpenter came to him with the screenplay for Halloween and Akkad produced it while Carpenter directed it. The movie was a big success. In 1981 he went back to directing when he directed Anthony Quinn again in Lion of the Desert, a movie funded by Moa'amer al Qaddafi and due to his political persona the movie did not score at the box office. It was about the Libyan freedom fighter Omar Al-Mokhtar and the Libyans fight for freedom against the Italians, and was his last directorial project.

After that he went back to producing the Halloween sequels. In 1995 he decided to make a film about the life of Saladin the great Muslim leader who fought the crusaders but he was never able to get the appropriate funding. On the 9th of November 2005 he was killed in a tragic terrorist attack in Amman Jordan. As a director he was greatly affected by David Lean (Lawrence of Arabia) but had his own amazing touches. He was a great story teller, but what's more amazing about him is the stories he chose to tell. He loved history and refused to direct any other genre. His mission in life was to show the west the truth about his religion. And for the Muslims he was the last hope to improve their image in the west. He was a true hero for Islam, and it's really sad that one of the last Muslim heroes, the man who gave the world the image of the birth of Islam was killed by the hands of people who call themselves Muslim freedom fighters.

from his interviews

About film Muhammad , Messenger of God …I did the film because it is a personal thing for me. Besides its production values as a film, it has its story, its intrigue, its drama. Beside all this I think there was something personal, being Muslim myself who lived in the west I felt that it was my obligation my duty to tell the truth about Islam. It is a religion that has a 700 million following, yet it's so little known about it which surprised me. I thought I should tell the story that will bring this bridge, this gap to the west……

About project of film “Saladin” ...Saladin exactly portrays Islam. Right now, Islam is portrayed as a terrorist religion. Because a few terrorists are Muslims, the whole religion has that image. If there ever was a religious war full of terror, it was the crusades. But you can't blame Christianity because a few adventurers did this. That's my message….

Second International Festival of Muslim Cinema also has ended.

Disputes and delights in occasion of it have ceased, but clearly one - the festival has gone right. 20 countries have presented the cinema at the world Muslim film-forum. The program of festival was distinguished with a rich variety of genres and styles. A high professional level films in Main Contest have noted both judges, and organizers, both participants, and representatives of press, and the most important - spectators.

The films have presented both world famous bisons of a cinema, and young directors. The huge resonance has caused festival not only to Russia and the CIS, the Arabian countries, Iran , Afghanistan and India

But also all over the world, especially in, European countries. Owing to all-round support of the Government of Tatarstan and the President of Republic Mintemira Shaymiev the organization of this event was up to standard of the largest international film-reviewes.

Special spiritual orientation has given to festival personal presence of Chairman of Advice and the President of festival of sheikh Ravilja Gajnutdina.

Visitors of festival were Ambassadors of difference Muslim’s country in Russia .

All have unanimously recognized that the level of festival has considerably grown in comparison with the last year. But we are not going to stop on reached.

Preparation for following festival which is planned to lead in September 6-12th, 2007 in Kazan which has grown fond by all, has already begun. And the following festival already now promises be even more powerfully the past. Its motto "To dialogue of Cultures through culture dialogue". Over 130 pictures from different countries have been sent in.

The program of the Festival will include:

1-Main Competition, a- Full-length feature film. b- Short-length feature film. c-Documentary film.

2-Non-competition screening,

3- Films of the Muslim countries, winners of the international film festivals!

Only films produced after January 01, 2005 will be accepted for the Competition programs. Preference in Competition programs is given to the World and International premieres.

Not less than 15 full-length feature films, 12 Short-length feature film, 15 documentary films, will participate in the Main Competition of the third International Festival of Muslim Cinema «Golden Minbar».

DOCUMENTATION

Entry applications for third International Festival «Golden Minbar» should reach the General Management of Festival prior to May 31, 2007.

Entry form must be accompanied by the following documentation:

* The dialogue list in the original language and in one of the following languages: Russian, English, French or Arabic;

* The list of subtitles in English;

* Synopsis, press and promotional materials Stills from the films and trailers.

* Materials for the festival catalogue, including a detailed biography and filmography of the director and the principal actors, a director's photo as well as slides from the film.

The films for the Festival program are selected by the Selection Committee. The Selection Committee of the Festival finishes its work on July 1, 2007 .

Confirming the participation in the third International Festival of Muslim Cinema «Golden Minbar» should arrive before July, 15th 2007.

Prints of the films accepted for the Competition programs of the Festival should be in possession of the General Management of the third International Festival of Muslim Cinema «Golden Minbar» before August 22, 2007 .

All conditions and mentioned dates are obligatory otherwise the Management of the third International Festival of Muslim Cinema «Golden Minbar» has the right to exclude the film from the Festival program.  

TRANSPORTATION AND INSURANCE OF PRINTS

The General Management of the third International Festival of Muslim Cinema «Golden Minbar» will assume all costs connected with the transportation of prints of the films selected for Competition programs to the Festival and back (AIRPORT of sender-Moscow-AIRPORT of recipient).

The General Management of the third International Festival of Muslim Cinema «Golden Minbar» will cover all the expenses connected with the storage and insurance of the films during the Festival.

GUESTS

All the issues connected with the invitations of guests, terms of their stay and accreditation at the Festival will be settled by the General Management of the third International Festival of Muslim Cinema «Golden Minbar».

Every film in Competition programs should be personally presented by a delegate.

The General Management of the third International Festival of Muslim Cinema «Golden Minbar» will cover round-trip tickets and hotel accommodation for representatives of the films in Competition programs:

* Full-length feature film 2 (two) persons (a director, an actor/actress);

* Short-length feature film 1(one) person;

* Documentary film 1(one) person.

Hospitality terms for other official guests of the Festival shall be indicated in their personal invitations.

filled and signed accreditation forms should be received by the General Management of the third International Festival of Muslim Cinema «Golden Minbar» prior September 4, 2007 .

JURIES

The International Jury of Main Competition will be set up to judge the films in Competition programs.

The General Management of Festival “Golden Minbar” will cover round-trip tickets and hotel accommodation for each Jury member.

Persons connected with the production or commercial distribution of a film in competition are not allowed to serve for the corresponding Jury.

Main prizes

The Jury will award the following prizes:

Prize “Golden Minbar” for the best film

Prize “Golden Minbar” for the best direction

Prize “Golden Minbar” for the best documentary film

Prize “Golden Minbar” for the best TV-reportage

Prize “Golden Minbar” for the best script

Prize “Golden Minbar” for the best actress

Prize “Golden Minbar” for the best actor

Prize “Golden Minbar” for the best cinematographer

Prize-winning fund (includes cash prize )- 100.000 (one hundred thousand) USD

Special Prize of the President of Republic Tatarstan "For humanism in cinema art" ;

Prizes at the discretion of their founders.

* Special Prize of Advice of muftis of Russia.

* Special Prize of " the General sponsor " festival.

* Special Prize Televideocompany «Islamic World», - " For contribution to Islamic enlightenment”".