BADIL, 1 May: “Today we have crossed walls and borders. Your presence, energy and works prove that the quest for justice and the right of return inspires generations,” said Palestinian novelist Salman Natour, moderator of the 2007 Al-Awda Award Festival, to the full theater hall of the Cultural Palace in Ramallah.

The 16 winners of the Al-Awda Award were honored by Palestinian artists, scholars, politicians and professionals, members of the jury and award committees, a special performance of the Palestinian dance troupe al-Funoun al-Sha'biyya, and an audience of over 750 who had arrived from Haifa, Nazareth, and the refugee camps and towns of the occupied West Bank. Best short films and posters were exhibited during the event.

BADIL's Al-Awda Award encourages cultural expression on the Nakba and Palestinian refugees' right of return. For photos of the event and copies of the award winning posters, see: www.badil.org

The winners of the 2007 Award are:

Posters:
1.Qutaiba Aboud, Aseera al-Shemaliyya, Nablus (see the winning posters)
2.Muhammad Abdel-Ghanni Saba'na, Qabatya, Jenin
3.Rana Bisharat, Tarshiha, Nazareth

Children's Stories:
1.Maliha Maslamani, Jerusalem
2.Ahlam Bisharat, Jenin
3.Majdi Shomali, Beit Sahour

Research Papers:
1.Maliha Maslamani, Jerusalem
2.Jabra'il Shomali, Beit Sahour
3.Sabreen Zaban, Jerusalem

Oral History Documents:
1.Rasha Abu Zaytoun, Deir al-Ghassoun, Tulkarem
2.Rashad al-Madani, Gaza
3.Maliha Sa'id To'ama, Tulkarem

Short Films – Drama:
1.Shadi Srour, Nazareth (“Ya Ana, Ya Haifa”)

Short Films – Documentary:
1.Tha'er Abdelrahman al-Azza, Dheisha camp (“Erth Mukhayyem”)
2.Du'a' Anati, Hebron (“Risha Min Wahi al-Zakira”)
3.Raneen Jiries, Kafr Yassif, Galilee (“Nisa' Filastiniyat”)