Sun. Jun 13th, 2021

Mina Takla

Mina Takla is a foreign correspondent for AwardsWatch and the co-founder of The Syndicate, an online news agency that offers original content services to several film brands including Empire Magazine’s Middle East edition and the Dubai Film Festival. Takla has attended, covered and written for multiple film festivals online including the Dubai International Film Festival, Abu Dhabi Film Festival, Cannes, Venice, Berlin and Annecy Film Festivals. He has been following the Oscar race since 2000 with accurate, office-pool winning predictions year after year. He writes monthly in Empire Arabia, the Arabic version of the world’s top cinema magazine and conducts press junkets with Hollywood stars in the UK and the US. He holds a Master’s degree in Strategic Marketing from Australia’s Wollongong University and is currently based in Dubai, UAE.
cannes-logo Cannes 2021: Who’s in the running in one of the most competitive seasons in years

Cannes 2021: Who’s in the running in one of the most competitive seasons in years

Mina Takla May 31, 2021
Excitement is high as the Cannes Film Festival is set to return with a highly anticipated edition that is sure to mark with it the... Read More
beginning_01 TIFF Review: ‘Beginning’ knows where to start but no idea how to end

TIFF Review: ‘Beginning’ knows where to start but no idea how to end

Mina Takla September 22, 2020
Plot: When a mysterious attack takes place on a church in one of Georgia’s remote villages, a game of power ensues between a woman and... Read More
truemothers_02 TIFF Review: Naomi Kawase gets maternal with ‘True Mothers,’ her best film in years

TIFF Review: Naomi Kawase gets maternal with ‘True Mothers,’ her best film in years

Mina Takla September 21, 2020
Plot: In Japan, a couple who are unable to give birth to a child of their own decide to adopt. Years later, their child’s true... Read More
summerof85-07 TIFF Review: ‘Summer of 85’ leaves the viewer out in the cold

TIFF Review: ‘Summer of 85’ leaves the viewer out in the cold

Mina Takla September 21, 2020
Plot: In 1985, a young man falls in love with an adventurous, free-spirited man. Over a brief yet intense period of time, they experience love... Read More
gazamonamour-03 TIFF Review: ‘Gaza Mon Amour’ is one of the best Middle Eastern films of the year

TIFF Review: ‘Gaza Mon Amour’ is one of the best Middle Eastern films of the year

Mina Takla September 20, 2020
Plot: A 40-something fisherman in Gaza who has never been married catches an Apollo statue by pure chance. The statue, of this Greek God who... Read More
Courtesy of TIFF TIFF Review: Using myth and metaphor, ‘Wolfwalkers’ astounds with arresting visuals and masterful storytelling

TIFF Review: Using myth and metaphor, ‘Wolfwalkers’ astounds with arresting visuals and masterful storytelling

Mina Takla September 20, 2020
Plot: Blending elements of Irish folklore, this new installment in Cartoon Saloon’s folklore inspired trilogy (Secret of Kells, Song of the Sea) transports viewers into... Read More
ANOTHER ROUND TIFF Review: Mads Mikkelsen is superb in Thomas Vinterberg’s intoxicating ‘Another Round’

TIFF Review: Mads Mikkelsen is superb in Thomas Vinterberg’s intoxicating ‘Another Round’

Mina Takla September 18, 2020
Plot: A group of friends who happen to work together as teachers in the same school decide to go on an experiment: drink all day... Read More
springblossom_01 TIFF Review: Suzanne Lindon’s ‘Spring Blossom’ is a charming tale of first love

TIFF Review: Suzanne Lindon’s ‘Spring Blossom’ is a charming tale of first love

Mina Takla September 18, 2020
Plot: A 16-year old girl enters a romantic relationship with an older theatre actor whose play is being performed nearby.  Review:  Suzanne Lindon’s SPRING BLOSSOM... Read More
memoryhouse-01 TIFF Review: ‘Memory House’ fails to illuminate, keeping its Brazilian folklore out of reach

TIFF Review: ‘Memory House’ fails to illuminate, keeping its Brazilian folklore out of reach

Mina Takla September 18, 2020
Plot: An Indigenrous-Black man from Brazil’s rural north struggles to earn acceptance in his community. When he is informed that he must take a wage... Read More
wildfire-01 TIFF Review: Despite strong performances from its leads, ‘Wildfire’ is doused by lackluster storytelling

TIFF Review: Despite strong performances from its leads, ‘Wildfire’ is doused by lackluster storytelling

Mina Takla September 17, 2020
Plot: After having suddenly and mysteriously disappeared for almost a year, a women returns to her hometown in Ireland and tries to blend in despite... Read More
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