Dubai International Film Festival

The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF, Arabic: مهرجان دبي السينمائي الدولي) was the largest film festival in the Arab region. With particular emphasis on showcasing Arab, Asian, and African cinema, it also helped to develop industry and talent in the region. It was held in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

Dubai International Film Festival
مهرجان دبي السينمائي الدولي
LocationDubai, United Arab Emirates
Founded2004
AwardsMuhr Awards
LanguageArabic
English

The Muhr Awards, including the Muhr AsiaAfrica Awards, are the main festival awards.

History

The inaugural Dubai International Film Festival took place in 2004,[1] when it screened 76 films.[2]

At its 5th edition in 2008, DIFF ran its first Asia Africa section. My Secret Sky, a South African film in the Zulu language directed by Madoda Ncayiyana, opened the section.[3] The festival featured 181 films from 66 countries, and the red carpet event included Goldie Hawn, Ben Affleck, Danny Glover, Oliver Stone, and Harry Belafonte. The grand prize went to Masquerades, directed by Algerian director Lyes Salem.[4]

The 9th edition of the festival took place in December 2012, and featured films from the Philippines, China, Turkiye, Angola and Senegal.[5]

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, directed by James Marsh and starring Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones.

The 12th edition of DIFF took place in December 2015. At that time, the festival director was Shivani Pandya.[1]

For its 14th edition in 2017, the festival screened 141 films from around the world, and by that time was the biggest film festival in the region.[2]

In 2018, the DIFF announced it would take place every two years, with the 15th edition confirmed for 2019.[2]

Overview

The DIFF is held under the patronage of the Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is prime minister, vice president and ruler of Dubai. As of 2015 the festival was presented by Dubai Media City.[1] It is a not-for-profit cultural event.[6]

It showcases films from the Arab, Asian and African cinema industries, and helps to develop talent and the film industry in the region.[6]

As of 2022, South-African born[3] Nashen Moodley is director of the Asia and Africa Programmes and oversees the Muhr AsiaAfrica competition.[7][8] He was the founder of the Muhr Awards for Excellence in Asia Africa Cinema.[3]

The festival also established the Dubai Film Market and Dubai Film Connection to be held concurrently, to raise the profile of local directors and enhance careers of film professionals.[1]

Awards

The festival is known for its Muhr Awards.[1] These include the Muhr AsiaAfrica Awards,[6][7][8] Muhr Arab Awards and Muhr Emirati Awards, with section awarding prizes for best film, documentary, short film, etc.[9]

FIPRESCI Awards for feature, short and documentary films are also given at the festival.[9]

References
  1. "Dubai International Film Festival". Filmfestivals.com. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  2. "Dubai International Film Festival takes a break, to return in 2019". Gulf News. 18 April 2018.
  3. Landreth, Jonathan (12 December 2008). "Dubai film festival fetes Asian, African films". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  4. Bayoumi, Mohamed Hussein (18 December 2008). "5th Dubai International Film Festival". FIPRESCI. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  5. Vivarelli, Nick (30 October 2012). "Dubai reveals Muhr Asia/Africa Awards lineup". Variety. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  6. "Muhr AsiaAfrica Awards". Volunteer in Africa 2023 Scholarships. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  7. "Our People". Sydney Film Festival. 15 November 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  8. Shackleton, Liz (30 October 2012). "Dubai film festival unveils Muhr AsiaAfrica titles". Screen Daily. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  9. Crane, Kelly Ann (13 December 2013). "Muhr Award winners celebrate as curtains begin to close on Dubai film festival". The National. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
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