Muna (2023 film)

Muna
Theatrical release poster
Directed byWarda Mohamed
Written byWarda Mohamed
Produced by
  • Angela Moneke
  • Simon Hatton
StarringKosar Ali
CinematographyOlan Collardy
Edited byMdhamiri Á Nkemi
Music byCassie Kinoshi
Production
companies
  • Monegram
  • BBC Film
  • Pink Towel Productions
  • Rendition Films
Distributed byT A P E Collective
Release dates
Running time
19 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
Languages
  • English
  • Somali

Muna is a 2023 British short drama film written and directed by Warda Mohamed. The film starring Kosar Ali in titular role is about teenage dreams, dislocated grief and unexpected connection, following a British-Somali teen navigating a confusing mourning period for a family member she never met.[1]

It was selected in the Generation 14plus section at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival, where it had its International premiere on 20 February and competed for Crystal Bear for the Best Film.[2]

Synopsis

A British-Somali teenager Muna, eagerly wants to join her school trip. She hopes to have fun with her friends, escape the monotony of her home life, and create a greatest playlist. However, her parents are hesitant. Tragedy strikes when her grandfather passes away in Somalia. Muna grapples with mourning for someone she never truly knew, all while still trying to convince her mother about the trip. As she prepares for the wake, Muna reflects on her own life and discovers unexpected connections with her late grandfather.

Cast

  • Kosar Ali as Muna
  • Raha Isse Farah as Yasmin
  • Elmi Rashid Elmi as Abdi
  • Ahmed Nur as Ali
  • Meena Mohamed as Aunty Mariam
  • Osman Omar as Awoowe

Production

The film was produced by Monegram, with BBC Film, Pink Towel Productions, and Rendition Films as co-producers.[3]

Release

Muna was screened at 2023 BFI London Film Festival in 'Network@LFF Shorts' section under 'Programme 1' on 7 October 2023.[4]

The film was screened at the London Short Film Festival under LSFF 2024: 'London Lives' on 25 January 2024.[5]

It had its International premiere on 20 February 2024, as part of the 74th Berlin International Film Festival, in Generation 14plus.[6][7][8]

Accolades

Award Date Category Recipient Result Ref.
Raindance Film Festival 4 November 2023 Best Short Film of the Festival Muna Nominated [9]
British Short Film Awards 7 November 2023 Best Short Film Won [10][11]
Best Actress Kosar Ali Won
British Independent Film Awards 3 December 2023 Best British Short Film Warda Mohamed, Angela Moneke and Simon Hatton Nominated [12]
London Film Critics' Circle 4 February 2024 British/Irish Short Film of the Year Warda Mohamed Nominated [13][14]
Berlin International Film Festival 25 February 2024 Generation 14plus Crystal Bear for Best Feature Film Warda Mohamed Nominated [6]

References

  1. ^ "Muna". The British Council. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  2. ^ Economou, Vassilis (18 January 2024). "Berlin unveils the entirety of its Generation line-up". Cineuropa. Archived from the original on 4 February 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  3. ^ "BBC Film celebrates 59 nominations for the British Independent Film Awards 2023". BBC. 3 November 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  4. ^ "NETWORK@LFF Shorts Programmes". BFI. 7 October 2023. Archived from the original on 15 December 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  5. ^ "London Lives". London Short Film Festival. 25 January 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  6. ^ a b Goodfellow, Melanie (17 January 2024). "Berlinale Unveils Full Panorama, Forum & Generation Line-Ups With New Films By Nathan Silver, Levan Akin, André Téchiné & Bruce LaBruce". Deadline. Archived from the original on 3 March 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  7. ^ Dalton, Ben (17 January 2024). "Berlinale unveils complete 2024 Panorama, Generation, Forum sections". ScreenDaily. Archived from the original on 21 January 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  8. ^ "Muna". Berlinale. 6 February 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  9. ^ "Nominations". Raindance Film Festival. 4 November 2023. Archived from the original on 5 November 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  10. ^ "Winners". British Short Film Awards. 7 November 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  11. ^ Sarkisian, Jacob (7 November 2023). "British Short Film Awards shine the spotlight on Oscar hopefuls". Gold Derby. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  12. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (2 November 2023). "Jodie Comer, Paul Mescal Score Nods as 'Rye Lane,' 'Scrapper', 'All of Us Strangers' Lead British Independent Film Awards Nominations". Variety. Archived from the original on 13 November 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  13. ^ Pulver, Andrew (20 December 2023). "'All of Us Strangers' leads London Film Critics' Awards nominations". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 29 May 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  14. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (20 December 2023). "'All of Us Strangers', 'Oppenheimer' Lead London Critics' Circle Awards Nominations". Variety. Archived from the original on 22 December 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2024.