"Amreeka," to be released by National Geographic Entertainment in September, was awarded the International Film Critics Award (the FIPRESCI Prize) Saturday at Directors' Fortnight, an independent section held parallel to the Cannes Film Festival. The award, aimed at promoting film art and young and new cinema, is presented at international film festivals. "Amreeka" is the story of a Palestinian mother who immigrates with her son to a small Illinois town. Writer/director Cherien Dabis is a former NG All Roads seed grant recipient. "The award signifies the global appeal of "Amreeka," and acknowledges the artistry and skill as a director of Cherien," said NG Cinema Ventures President Lisa Truitt. "This prestigious award adds to the acclaim "Amreeka" received at the Cannes Film Festival, which included a five-minute standing ovation after the screening as part of the Festival's Directors' Fortnight selections of films."

National Geographic's All Roads Film Project is launching with a full head of steam into the 2007 film festival circuit  The prestigious Berlin International Festival gets underway this week and All Roads will be there with the screening of "Make A Wish" a film by 2005 Seed Grantee Cherien Dabis.  According to All Roads Director Francene Blythe, the project will continue to build on its previous years successes.  "Last year All Roads grew in audience, attendance, and media outreach 100%.  For 2007, we started with a BANG!! at Sundance, and plan to continue that impact with more powerful programming and promotion this year."  January's Sundance Film Festival is the event that kicks the festival season into high gear.  This year, All Roads was there like never before, not only scouting, as in years, past but also serving as a host, screening films and showcasing filmmakers.  Three films produced by All Roads Seed grantees actually premiered and screened at this year's Sundance, "Miss Navajo" (Billy Luther, 2006) ,"Four Sheets to the Wind" (Sterlin Harjo, 2006), and "Make A Wish" (Cherien Dabis).  Now in its 4^th year, the Project is making an impact on the cachet festival circuit scene.  Films created with the help of funding by All Roads Seed grants are beginning to garner international recognition through screenings at the quintessential festivals such as Sundance, Rotterdam, Berlin and Cannes.  More than holding their own, the films are also achieving accolades for their quality.  Canadian actress, Tamara Podemski, was honored with the Sundance Festival's Special Dramatic Jury Prize for Acting for her performance in "Four Sheets to the Wind." Additionally, the film "Chalanggai" Dancing Bells (Deepak Kumaran Menon, 2006) recently made its world premiere at the internationally renown Rotterdam Festival, winning the NETPAC Special Mention as the best Asian feature film shown at the festival. Films produced and directed by All Roads Seed Grantees are making an unprecedented impact on the 2007 festival circuit.