Finalist, Rory Peck Award for News 2012
for
Clashes in Cairo
Shot in Egypt, February 2012
Self-funded
Broadcast by The Real News Network

Roddy's entry shows dramatic footage of the running battles that erupted on the streets of Cairo following the Port Said football violence.

BACKGROUND
Most of those killed or injured were fans of the club Al-Ahly - known for their prominent role in the protests against Mubarak and the military council that succeeded him.

Tens of thousands hit the streets in anger across Egypt the following day. Roddy spent two days filming at the centre of the protests outside the Interior Ministry. He was injured several times as protesters hurled rocks, while security forces on the ground and in armored vans fired salvos of teargas canisters.

VIDEO CLIP

JUDGES COMMENTS
The judges described Roddy as a "natural raw talent." One said: "His piece has rhythm, it has tempo, he has the patience to properly frame shots. He put himself in some situations that were fairly hairy to document but which were important to document - from all angles. It’s an extremely visual piece of story-telling. He's barely picked up a camera before - but this isn't just pointing and shooting. He has a real eye and a real sense of what makes good television."

BIOGRAPHY
Roddy Hafiz's father is Egyptian and he spent much of his childhood in Cairo. Following the revolution Roddy put his college education on hold and gave up his job as a waiter to travel from his home in the US to Egypt. This story was his first experience behind the camera. He is currently working with his sister Jihan Hafiz (a Rory Peck Award for Features finalist in 2011) on stories and reports for The Real News Network, and on a self-funded documentary about the Egyptian revolution. 

LINKS

• Roddy's entry on the Real News Network
• Additional footage from the clashes