Dubai International Film Festival
 | |
| Location | Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2004 |
| Language |
Arabic English |
| Website | www.dubaifilmfest.com |
The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) is the leading film festival in the region. Since its inception in 2004, the festival has served as an influential platform for Arab filmmakers and talent at an international level, by spearheading the cinema movement in the region. The 12th edition of DIFF took place from December 9 – 16, 2015.
Overview
The DIFF is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President & Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. It is a not-for-profit cultural event, presented and organised by Dubai Entertainment & Media Organization.
Back for its 12th year, the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) will take place from December 9 – 16, 2015 at Madinat Jumeirah, the home of DIFF. The festival will see thousands of cinema-goers, actors, directors, producers, writers and industry experts descend on Dubai to enjoy the world’s best films in one of the world’s premiere locations.
The 12th Dubai International Film Festival will showcase over 120 features, film shorts and documentaries from around the world which will include a plethora of world premieres. Every year DIFF presents new and exciting cinema from the Arab world and beyond, introducing audiences to fresh new talent and original and distinctive film-making.
Film programme
In 2014 DIFF screened a line-up of 118 feature films, shorts and documentaries from around the world including 55 world premieres and international premieres.
Opening the 2014 Festival was the Oscar nominated 'The Theory of Everything’, by Academy Award winning director James Marsh and starring Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones
Muhr Awards
Submission are now open for DIFF’s highly contested Muhr competition for feature fiction and non-fiction; and short films originating from the United Arab Emirates and the Arab world which will compete for the prestigious Muhr Awards. The competition, which has been an integral part of the festival since 2006, will continue to nurture and reward exceptional Arab talent and cinema from the region.
Dubai Film Market
As part of its ongoing commitment to stimulate regional film production and trade, DIFF established the Dubai Film Market (DFM) in 2007. The DFM is a unique platform that aims to raise the visibility of Arab cinema in the region and at an international level. Since its inception, the DFM has supported over 270 projects; bringing films to the screen which have gone onto enjoy critical acclaim and find new audiences across the globe.
The DFM is now considered the leading industry platform in the region and the gateway to the one of the fastest growing film and TV markets in the world. It provides unprecedented access to the decision-makers from the Middle East, Asia and Africa. With an annual attendance of 2,500 executives from more than 65 countries, the market is the perfect place to forge new business collaborations. The DFM offers excellent visibility to buyers, sellers, service providers and industry professionals through exhibition spaces, networking opportunities and a thoughtfully curated film library.
The DFM comprises a range of components which includes the Forum, an exciting series of business and industry panels and workshops;
Dubai Film Connection: DIFF’s highly successful annual co-production market aims to raise the visibility of Arab filmmakers and stimulate the growth of film production in the Middle East.
Cinetech, a state-of-the-art platform for the sales and acquisition of films and TV content.
Enjaaz, provides vital post-production financial support to feature-length film projects by Arab filmmakers and production for short films by Gulf filmmakers.
Exhibition Stands, a dedicated space to meet regional and international film professionals, companies and institutions.
The Dubai Distribution Programme which presents independent filmmakers with the opportunity to showcase their films to a wider audience.
Forum, bringing together international film industry professionals, the Forum is the market’s platform for the exchange of ideas and expertise.
The DFM runs concurrently with the Festival from the 10th – 15 December 2015.
References
External links
- www.cinemalebnen.org /best movie guide in the Arab world
- DIFF official website
- DIFF Facebook page
- DIFF Youtube
- DIFF on Twitter
- Dubai International Film Festival - Dubai Events Official Lisitngs