Dubai International Film Festival

Dubai International Film Festival مهرجان دبي السينمائي الدولي
Location	Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Founded	2004
Language	Arabic English
Official website

The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) (Arabic: مهرجان دبي السينمائي الدولي‎) is an international film festival based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Launched in 2004, it aims to foster the growth of filmmaking in the Arab world.^[1]

Overview

The Dubai International Film Festival is held under the honorary Chairmanship of Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum. It is a not-for-profit cultural event, presented and organised by the Dubai Technology, Electronic Commerce and Media Free Zone Authority.

20m wide inflatable projection screen at the 2010 Dubai International Film Festival.

The Festival presents cinematic excellence from around the world and offers a 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 were expanded to include two separate competitions, the Arab Muhr Award, and the AsiaAfrica Muhr Award. It also introduced a new program segment dedicated exclusively to Animation.

Another initiative introduced in 2006 was the Industry Office, established with a view to assist registered delegates. The Dubai Film Connection was established in 2007 to stimulate the growth of the film industry in the Arab world.

Other initiatives launched in 2007 included Rhythm and Reels, The Magic of Cinema Photo exhibition and the inaugural amfAR Cinema Against Aids Dubai. In December 2010 the Rhythm and Reels open air cinema event was held on Jumeirah Beach using an inflatable screen.

“Bridging Cultures. Meeting Minds” was chosen as the theme to promote better understanding and mutual respect between different communities and countries.^[2]

Since its inception, DIFF has become an important meeting point for international and regional filmmakers and industry professionals. Hundreds of films, documentaries and shorts from more than 50 countries have been shown at the festival. The sixth Dubai International Film Festival took place in December 2010.

In conjunction with the European Audiovisual Entrepreneurs (EAVE) professional training, networking and project development organization, the Dubai International Film Festival in 2010 also began offering to filmmakers the Interchange group of development and co-production workshops earmarked for directors, screenwriters and producers from the larger Arab region.^[3]

See also

• Abu Dhabi Film Festival

References

1. ^ Dubai International Film Festival - About
2. ^ General ideas DIFF follows
3. ^ Dubai International Film Festival - Interchange – TFL/DIFF/EAVE Development and Co-production Workshops

External links

• Dubai International Film Festival official website