Dubai International Film Festival

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please improve this article if you can. (December 2008)

This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (December 2008)

The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) was launched in December 2004 under the theme: Bridging Cultures. Meeting Minds.

DIFF is held under the honorary Chairmanship of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum. DIFF is a not-for-profit cultural event, presented and organised by the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Authority.

As the previous editions of DIFF have demonstrated, the Festival not only presents cinematic excellence from around the world, but is also an important high-profile platform for aspiring home-grown talent. The Muhr Award for Excellence in Arab Cinema was launched in 2006, with the aim of recognizing Arab filmmakers both regionally and internationally. In 2008, the Muhr Awards for Excellence have been expanded to include two separate competitions, the Arab Muhr Award, and the AsiaAfrica Muhr Award. It also introduces a new programme segment dedicated exclusively to Animation.

Another initiative introduced in 2006 was the Industry Office, which was established with a view to exclusively assist the needs of all registered delegates. The fourth edition in 2007 saw the introduction of the Dubai Film Connection, a co-production market, in keeping with its commitment to stimulating the growth of the film industry in the Arab World.

Other exciting initiatives launched in 2007 included, Rhythm and Reels, The Magic of Cinema Photo exhibition and the inaugural amfAR Cinema Against Aids Dubai.

“Bridging Cultures. Meeting Minds,” has been seen as a relevant theme to promote better understanding and mutual respect between different communities and countries.^{[citation needed]}

Since its inception, DIFF has become an important meeting point for international and regional filmmakers and industry professionals setting the foundation for potential future collaborations.

The past four editions of DIFF have presented more than 391 films, documentaries and shorts from more than 50 countries.

[edit] DIFF 2009

The Fifth edition of the Dubai International Film Festival will take place December 9-16, 2009.

[edit] External links

• Dubai International Film Festival official website
• Dubai Film Festival (DIFF) Coverage by TEN Movies
• amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research official website