Mano Khalil was born in syrian Kurdistan. 1981-1986 Studied history and law at Damascus University in Syria. 1987-1994 Studied fiction film direction in the former Czechoslovakia (Vysoká škola múzických umení-filmova a televzna fakulta). 1990-1995 Worked as independent film director for Czechoslovakian and later for the Slovakian Television. Since 1996 lives in Switzerland, working as independent film director and producer.

Mano Khalil ist im Kurdistan teil Syriens geboren. An der Universität Damaskus hat er Recht und Geschichte studiert. Von 1987 bis 1994 hat er in der ehemaligen Tschechoslowakei die Fachklasse Regie an der Film- und Fernsehakademie (Vysokà škola mùzickych umenì-filmova a Televizna fakulta) absolviert. Bis 1995 war er freier Mitarbeiter beim Tschechoslowakischen und Slowakischen Fernsehen. Seit 1996 ist er als Regisseur und Produzent in der Schweiz tätig.

Mano Khalil est né dans le Kurdistan syrien. Il a fait des études d’histoire et de droit à l’université de Damas (1981-1986) et des études de réalisation (cinéma de fiction) en Tchécoslovaquie (1986-1994). Depuis 1996, il vit en suisse, où il poursuit sa carrière de cinéaste.

Mano Xelîl  li başûrê biçûka Kurdîstanê hatiye dinyayê. Di navbera 1981-1986 de wî li uvîversîteya Şamê beşê dîrok û hiqûqê xwendiye. Ji sala 1987-1994 wî li Cêkoslovakia di uvîversîteya Sînema besê Derhinêrî xwend. Di dem,demekê de ew li televîzyona Çekoslovakya weke rejîsor xebitiye. û ji sala 1996 li Swîsra wek derhinêr, Kamêraman û produsent dijî û kar û xebata xwe didomîne.

Mano Khalil  narodil sa v Sýrskom Kurdistane. Od roku 1981 do roku 1986 študoval právo a históriu na Damašsku univerzitu. V rokoch 1987 – 1994 študoval absolvoval v bývalom Československu, réžiu na Filmovej a televíznej akadémie (Vysokej škole múzických umení-filmova televízna fakulta). Do roku 1995 pracoval na voľnej nohe v Československej a Slovenské televízie ako režiser. Od roku 1996 žije a pracuje ako režisér a producent vo Švajčiarsku.

ولد مانو خليل  في كردستان  سوريا. من 1981 و لغاية 1986 درس القانون والتاريخ في جامعة دمشق  بعد ذلك اتجة لدراسة الاخراج السينمائي الروائي في تشيكوسلوفاكيا السابقة حيث درس بين اعوام 1987 ولغاية 1994 في اكاديمية الفنون الموسيقية والسينمائية, كلية السينما و التلفزيون و نال شهادة الماجستير في الاخراج السينمائي.عمل الى 1995 في التلفزيون التشيكوسلوفاكي   و بعد ذلك في التلفزيون السلوفاكي كمخرج و شارك  ايضا كممثل في العديد من الافلام السينمائية و التلفزيونية.   و منذ عام 1996 يعيش في سويسرا كمنتج ومخرج سينمائي. اسس في عام 2012 شركة فرام فيلم للانتاج السينمائي والتلفزيون

He speaks

Kurdish:        Mother language

Slovak:         Fluently

German:       Fluently

Czech:          Fluently

English:        Good knowledge

Arabic:         Fluently

Italian:         Basic knowledge

Greek:          Coming soon ;-)

• 2021 Nighbours – 124 min. Fiction, in coproduction with Swiss TV SRF and ARTE.
• 2018 Hafis & Mara –  88 min. TV Documentary Film, in coproduction with Swiss TV SRF.
• 2016-2020 Video Exhibition “Displaced” in Swiss National Museum in Zurich.
• 2016 Die Swallow – 102 Min. Fiction, DCP, in coproduction with Swiss TV SRF and  ARTE.
• 2013 The Beekeeper – 107 Min. Documentary. DCP, Swiss TV and ARTE.
• 2010 Our Garden Eden – 97 min. Documentary. 35mm, Swiss TV SF and German 3sat.
• 2009 My Prison, my Home – 33 min. Documentary.
• 2006 David the Tolhildan – 54 min, Documentary, Swiss TV SF, TSI and TSR.
• 2005 Al-Anfal, in the name of Allah, Baath and Saddam. Documentary, Swiss TV SF, Kurdistan.
• 2003 Colorful dreams – 60 min, Ficiton, Swiss TV SF DRS.
• 1999 Triumph of Iron – 33 min, Beta SP, Eigenproduktion, Fiction. Drehbuch, Produktion und Regie.
• 1995 Kino Eye – 16mm, Documentary, Slowak STV.
• 1992 Where God sleeps – 16mm, Slowak TV STF and Mano Khalil.
• 1990 My God – 16mm, Documentary, Czechoslovakian TV CST.

School Films

• 1991 Oh father – 21 min, 35mm, Fiction.
• 1990 Embassy – 22 min, 16mm, Fiction.
• 1989 My pain, my hope – 15 min, 16mm, Fiction.
• 1988 Oh world – 11 Min, 16mm, Fiction.

Film Festivals Participation

• Solothurner Filmtage Schweiz – Nomination for Prix du Soleuer 2021
• Shanghai International Film Festival 2021 – International Competition.Nomination for Golden Goblet.
• Locarno International Film Festival 2021 – Swiss Panorama
• Gangneung International Film Festival – South Korea–2021 International Competition
• Cameraimage International Film Festival – Poland 2021 International Competition
• Alekino Film Festival – Poznan Poland 2021
• Hofer Filmtage 2021 Germany – International Competition
• Emden Film Festival 2021 – International Competition
• Cinéalma Film Festival 2021 – International Competition – France
• Zlin International Film Festival 2021 Czech Republik
• Braunschweig Int. Filmfestival 2021 – Germany
• Warsaw Jewish Film Festival 2021
• 36th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival 2021 – USA
• Bastau International Film Festival Almaty Kasachstan 2021 International Competition
• Red Sea Int. film Festival – International Competition – Saudi Arabia 2021
• Olympia International Film Festival 2021 Griechenland. International Competition
• Filmtage Oberschwaben 2021 Deutschland International Competition
• Terni Film Festival 2021. International Competition – Italy
• Palm Spring international Film Festival USA – January  2022
• New York Jewish Film Festival 2022 – opening movie
• Vienna Austria Jewish Film Festival October 9-14
• Great Neck Arts Center October 11
• Chattanooga Jewish Film Series October 12-15
• Festival de Cinema Jeue de Barcelona October 14-20
• JCC Central NJ October 14
• Cleveland Jewish Film Festival October 15-24
• Victoria International Jewish Film Festival October 17
• Jewish Federation of Ocean County October 26
• Virginia Film Festival October 27-31
• Cinema St Louis November 4-21
• Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival November 5-21
• Maine Jewish Film Festival November 6-14
• Jacksonville Jewish Film Festival November 7
• Rutgers New Jersey Jewish Film Festival November 7-21
• Boston Jewish Film Festival November 12-21
• Hong Kong Jewish Film Festival November 13
• UK Jewish Film Festival November 15
• Warsaw Poland Jewish Film Festival November 15
• Princeton Garden Theatre November 16
• Associacao Brasileira a Hebraica, Sao Paulo Nov 16-19
• Beth Tzedec Calgary Jewish Film Festival Nov
• Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival Nov
• San Fran Hanukkah Film Festival December 12
• New York Jewish Film Festival Jan 12
• San Luis Obispo Jewish Film Festival, CA Jan 9-30
• Miami Jewish Film Festival Jan 14-26
• Montreal Jewish Jan 22-24
• Louisville Jewish Film Festival Feb 5
• San Antonio Jewish Film Festival Feb 5-20
• Jewish Federation of Greater Binghampton, NY Feb 6
• Spokane Jewish Family Services Feb 24
• Phoenix Jewish FIlm Festival Feb 10-27
• Austin Jewish Film Festival Feb 12-27
• Denver Jewish Film Festival Feb 14-March 1
• Charlotte Jewish Film Festival Feb 16.2022
• Tampa Jewish Film Festival Feb 17-27.2022
• Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival Feb 17.2022
• Tucson Jewish Film Festival Feb 17.2022
• Dallas Jewish Film Festival Feb 19.2022
• Boca Raton Jewish Film Festival Feb-April.2022
• Hartford Jewish March 1. 2022
• Sacramento Jewish Film Festival March 1-21
• Australia Jewish Film Festival March 2022
• Treasure Coast Jewish Film Festival 2022
• Marco Island JCC 2022
• Sarasota Jewish Film Festival Spain 2022
• Cornell Jewish Film Festival USA 2022
• Beth Am Los Altos Hills Film Festival USA 2022
• 15th International Children’s Film Festival Bangladesh 2022
• Milano Asia, afrika, Europa Film Festival Italy 2022
• Madrid Jewish FF 2022
• Bozen International FF- Italy 2022
• Innsbruck Int. Film festival 2022
• Freistadt Neue Heimats Filmfestival August 2022
• New York Kurdish Film Festival October 2022
• Moscow Kurdish juni 2022
• London Kurdish Film September 2022
• Amstrdam Kurdish
• Roterdam Arab film festival Juni 2022
• Hollywood arab film festival 2022
• imagineindia Int. Filmfestival October 2022
• MiWorld Young Film Festival.
• Paris Kurdish film festival
• Amstrdam Kurdish film festival 2022
• AmiCorti International Filmfestival 2022 Italy
• Toronto JFF Canada 2022
• Roterdam Arab Film Festival – Holland 2022
• Hollywod arab FF USA 2022
• Busan Children Film festival South Korea 2022
• Seoul International Children Film Festival South Korea 2022
• II International Film Festival for Children and Youth “Hero” in Krasnoyarsk – Russia. 2022
• Zagreb Festival of Tolerance 2022 – Croatia
• BUZAU International film Festival Romania 2022
• Fwestival du Film Arabe Fameck – France 2022
• Hong Kong Asia International Film Festival. Hong Kong 2022
• Oaxaca International Film Festival – Maxico 2022
• Daz Zentrum Radstadt International Film Festival Austria 2022
• Dharamshala International Film Festival India 2022
• Teaneck International Film Festival USA 2022
• International Human Rights Film Festival – Austria 2022
• META International Film Festival UAE – Dubai 2022
• Duhok International Film Festival – Kurdistan 2022
• Kolkata International Film Festival – India 2022
• Verona Africa IFF – Italy 2023
• Santiago de Chile IFF Human right – Chile 2023
• Oslo Arab film days – Norway 2023
• International Film and Human Right Film festival – Barcelona – Spain 2023
• Haugesund International Film Festival Norwegien 2023

Awards

• San Frencisco Film Critics Award 2021 Best movie – USA
• SCORE Bernhard Wicki 2. Award – Audience Award – Emden Film Festival 2021 – Germany
• Berner Filmpreis – Bester Spielfilm 2021 – Switzerland
• Best Movie Gangneung Film Festival – 2021 – South Korea
• Best movie – SIGNIS Film Award – Religion Today Film Festival 2021 – Italy
• Best Film award – CineAlma Film Festival 2021 – France
• Best Film Award – Terni Film Festival 2021 – Italy
• Warsaw Jewish Film Festival – Special Jury Mention 2021 – Poland
• Premio Utopia Castellinaria International Film Festival 2021 – Switzerland
• Best Script award Red Sea international Film Festival 2021 – Saudi Arabian
• “Human Values Award” The Award of Best movie from Greek parliament. Olympia International Film Festival 2021 – Greece.
• The Award” European Values Award” Best movie from European Parliament – Olympia International Film Festival 2021 Greece.
• l’Angelo per il miglior film e il premio della critica( Angel for Best Film & Critics Award) – Terni Film Festival 2021, Italy
• Audience Award – Boston Jewish Film Festival, USA
• Audience award for best feature film in Spokane Jewish Cultural Film Festival-United States, Washington 2022
• Audience Award (Best Feature) ” Spokane Jewish Cultural Film Festival 2022
• “Grand Prix” best future Film Mons International Film Festival 2022
• Mons International Film Festival Audience Award 2022
• Best Movie MiWould Milano IFF 2022
• Audience Award Miworld Milano IFF 2022
• Teacher Jury Award MiWorld Milano IFF 2022
• Best movie Hollywood Arab Film Festival
• Best Actor Hollywood Arab Film festival
• Best Movie Award in II International Film Festival for Children and Youth “Hero” in Krasnoyarsk – Russia.
• Südwind-Award 2022 der Jugendjury at Innsbruck Film Festival Austria 2022
• Bester Film – Amicorti International Filmfestival- Italy 2022
• Best Script in Amicorti International Filmfestival- Italy 2022
• Award for Best actor “Serhed Khalil” Role „Sero“ in Amicorti International Filmfestival- Italien 2022
• Award for best director – Rotterdam Arab international Film festival Holland 2022
• Best Director Award für – Seoul International Schildern Filmfestival – Süd Korea 2022
• Award for Best movie Toronto TJFF 2022 – Audience Award- Canada
• Best Movie award Moscow International Kurdish Film Festival 2022 Russia
• Best Movie Award Imago International film festival Italy 2022
• Best Script Award Imago International Film Festival Italy 2022
• Audience Award for best movie Neue Heimat International Film Festival Austria 2022
• Jury special Award for best fiction movie Neue Heimat International Film Festival Austria 2022
• Signis PREMIO ESPECIAL DEL JURADO / Award at 11°FICiP Festival Internacional de Cine Político Boenos Aires Argentina 2022
• MENCION ESPECIAL International Jury at Award at 11°FICiP Festival Internacional de Cine Político Boenos Aires Argentina 2022
• Leo Award fot best movie at Kunstfilmfest Schwerin Germany 2022
• Best movie at Imagine India International Film Festival 2022 Madrid-Spain
• Best script at Imagine India International Film Festival 2022 Madrid-Spain
• Best Aditing at Imagine India International Film Festival 2022 Madrid-Spain
• Best Music at Imagine India International Film Festival 2022 Madrid-Spain
• Best children actor at Imagine India International Film Festival 2022 Madrid-Spain
• The Awad of youth Jury for the best movie in Famack Interntional arab Film Festival Metz Franch 2022
• Jury Award best movie META film festival Dubai UAE 2022
• Young Jury Award best movie Hong Kong Asia Film Festival 2022
• Best Movie Award Oslo Arab film days
• Best Movie Santiago de Chile Largos IFF Chile 2023
• Special Jury Award International Film and Human Right Film festival – Barcelona – Spain 2023
• Honorable Mention -International Children Care Film Festival –Paris- 2023
• Norwegian film Critics Award 2023, Haugesund International Film Festival 2023
• Grand Prix – Maestrale award- Best Movie in main Competition on Babel International Film festival 2023 Cagliari Italy.
• Best movie Amazigh international Film Festival Agadir Marroco 2023
• Best Actor “Serhad Khalil” Amazigh international Film Festival Agadir Marroco 2023
• Best Actress Amazigh international Film Festival Agadir Marroco 2023and more than 20 Acknowledge Awards…

THE SWALLOW

• Göteborg International Film Festival
• Bratislava International Filmfestival Competition 11.11.2016-17.11.2016
• Biberach, 38. Biberacher Filmfestspiele, Competition, 02.11.2016 – 06.11.2016 
• Hof, 50. Internationale Filmtage Hof, 25.10.2016 – 30.10.2016
  
• Duhok International Film Festival
• Innsbruck International Filmfestival
• Bern, 5. Berner Filmpreis Festival, Competition, 20.10.2016 – 30.10.2016 
• Freistadt, Freistadt Festival # 29 Der neue Heimatfilm, Competition, 24.08.2016 – 28.08.2016 
• Bosco Chiesanuova (VR), 22nd Film Festival della Lessinia, Competition, 20.08.2016 – 28.08.2016 
• Bozen, 30. Bozner Filmtage Bolzano Cinema, Competition, 13.04.2016 – 17.04.2016 
• Solothurn, 51. Solothurner Filmtage, Competition, 21.01.2016 – 28.01.2016 

THE BEEKEEPER

• Indipendent Istanbul Filmfestival
• Amed Filmfestival
• Tokyo Refugee International Filmfestival
• New York Human Rights Watch Filmfestival
• Dharmashala International Filmfestival
• Das Festival-Prag
• Innsbruck International Filmfestival
• Budapest International Filmfestival
• Melbourne, Human Rights Arts & Film Festival Australia, 07.05.2015 – 21.05.2015 
• Bozcaada, Bozcaada International Festival of Ecological Documentary, Competition, 30.10.2014 – 02.11.2014 
• Bosco Chiesanuova (VR), 20th Film Festival della Lessinia, 23.08.2014 – 31.08.2014 
• Yerevan, 11th Yerevan International Film Festival Golden Apricot, Competition, 06.07.2014 – 13.07.2014 
• Bozen, 28. Bozner Filmtage Bolzano Cinema, Competition, 09.04.2014 – 13.04.2014 
• Athens, 16th Thessaloniki Documentary Festival, 14.03.2014 – 23.03.2014 
• Dubai, 10th Dubai International Film Festival, 06.12.2013 – 14.12.2013 
• Duhok KRG, 2nd Duhok International Film Festival, Competition, 09.10.2013 – 16.10.2013 
• Bosco Chiesanuova (VR), 19th Festival della Lessinia, Competition, 24.08.2013 – 01.09.2013 
• Freistadt, Freistadt Festival # 26 Der neue Heimatfilm, Competition, 21.08.2013 – 25.08.2013 
• Locarno, 66° Festival del film Locarno, 07.08.2013 – 17.08.2013 
• Gilching, 7. Fünf Seen Filmfestival, Competition, 24.07.2013 – 04.08.2013 
• München, 28. DOK.fest Internationales Dokumentarfilmfestival München, Competition, 08.05.2013 – 15.05.2013 
• Solothurn, 48. Solothurner Filmtage, 24.01.2013 – 31.01.2013 

NominationS

• 2016 “Die Schwalbe” Nomination for Bern Film award. Best Fiction movie.
• 2014 “Der Imker” Nomination for Swiss Film Award in the catagory best documentary Film.
• 2012 “Our Garden of Eden” Bern Film Award.  Best Documentary Film.
• 2012 “Unser Garten Eden” Nomination for Bern Film Award.  Best Documentary Film.
• 2012 “Our Garden of Eden” Nomination for Swiss Film Award.  Best Documentary Film.
• 2000 “Triumph of Iron” Nomination for Swiss Film award Best short Film.

AWARDS

• The Beekepper “Honorary Award” Global kurdish Film festival – London 2021.
• Hafis & Mara “First award in Bujtor istvan Film festival. Hungary 2019
• Hafis & Mara ” Honorary award of the city of Freistadt” Austria 2019
• Die Schwalbe “Preis der Stadt Duhok” Duhok International Filmfestival.
• Die Schwalbe “Euroregio Jurypreis” Bozen Filmfestival.
• Die Schwalbe Spiezele erwähnung Int. Jury ” Bozen Filmfestival.
• Die Schwalbe “Microcosmos jurypreis” Lessinia Filmfestival.
• Gala AT / die Schwalbe – 2001 Preis der SSA (Société Suisse des Auteurs) für die Entwicklung von Drehbüchern  – „Gala“.

• Der Imker Bozcaada, Bozcaada International Festival of Ecological Documentary, Second Prize 2014.
• Der Imker, Bozen, Bozner Filmtage, Preis der Stiftung Südtiroler Sparkasse für Besten Dokumentarfilm 2014.
• Der Imker, Zürich, Bundesamt für Kultur, Swiss Film Award, Best Documentary Film 2014 (Nomination).
• Der Imker, Bosco Chiesanuova (VR), Film Festival della Lessinia, Lessinia d’Argento 2013.
• Der Imker, Duhok KRG, Duhok International Film Festival, Best Kurdish Documentary Film 2013.
• Der Imker, Freistadt, Der Neue Heimatfilm, Publikumspreis 2013.
• Der Imker, München, DOK.fest München, VIKTOR DOK.deutsch Preis 2013.
• Der Imker, Solothurn, Solothurner Filmtage, Prix de Soleure 2013.

• Unser Garten Eden – CIVIS european Medienpreis Bruxelles-Best Film.
• Unser Garten Eden – Berner Filmpreis Bester Dokumentarfilm.

• My Kerker, my Haus – 2013 – Speziellen Jury Preis Gulf Filmfestival – Dubai

• Bunte Träume 2003 Filmmusikpreis  des Kantons Bern – Simon Ho.

• Triumph of iron – 1999 UBS Anerkennungspreis in Solothurn.

• Wo Gott schläft  – 1993  1. Preis am Augsburger Filmfestival.

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