Yasmin Wins 8th Templeton European Film Award

The film "Yasmin" has won the John Templeton European Film of the Year Award 2004. The award is chosen by an international jury and is presented on behalf of US-based Templeton Foundation by the International Church Film Organisation INTERFILM and the Conference of European Churches (CEC). The winner is chosen among the Ecumenical Awards presented at international film festivals during the past year.

"Yasmin", directed by British director Kenneth Glenaan, tells the story of an established social worker of Pakistani origins living in northern England who has experienced anti-terrorist raids of the police after the 11 September bombings. The story depicts the resentment of others towards the Muslim community which allows Yasmin to rediscover her cultural heritage and faith. As she rejects the religious and political radicalisatino among young Muslims, she searches for alternatives and her own personal identity as she faces both the secular Western culture and radical Islamic ideas.

The award has a sum of 10,000 Euros and a certificate of recognition. The award ceremony will take place at 6pm on 13 February at the Berlin Film Festival during a service in St. Mathew’s Church. A special screening of the film will be shown at the "Hackesche Höfe" at 3pm.

"Yasmin" had received the Ecumenical Award at International Film Festival Locarno 2004 and Archie Panjabi, who plays the lead role, has been named European Shooting Star and will attend the Berlinale Talent Campus.

The John Templeton Foundation pursues new insights at the boundary between theology and science and draws together talented representatives from wide fields of expertise. The Foundation seeks to focus the methods and resources of scientific inquiry on topical areas with spiritual and theological significance by using "the humble approach."