Mona Ghanem Al Marri, vice president and managing director of the Dubai Media Council and chairwoman of the Dubai Press Club, announced the return of the Dubai Film Festival in a new format, with its first edition dedicated to Arab films and providing more space for their makers and talent.
The festival as a platform for Arab filmmakers and talent
Al Marri said the festival would serve as a creative platform bringing together directors, producers, actors and writers, enabling them to showcase their work and connect with audiences, critics and industry professionals. It also aims to discover promising talent and support its presence in the Arab film scene.
According to the announced vision, the festival will go beyond film screenings to combine dialogue, talent discovery, the exchange of expertise and professional networking.
Its approach will include giving young talent the opportunity to present their work and ideas and engage with prominent film professionals, supporting connections between generations of filmmakers.
Discussing the challenges and future of Arab cinema
The festival is expected to provide a space to discuss the state and future of Arab cinema, the challenges facing those working in the sector, and opportunities linked to shifts in the content industry. It will also focus on talent capable of presenting Arab stories through new styles and visions.
The festival's return builds on the experience of the Dubai International Film Festival, which in previous editions hosted Arab and international stars and filmmakers and presented Arab and international films and specialised programmes supporting talent and filmmaking.
Al Marri stressed that the new format aims to bring together all parts of the film ecosystem, from filmmakers and cultural and media institutions to audiences, and strengthen dialogue on the future of cinema in the region.
Arab films will be the focus of the first edition, with the aim of highlighting the diversity of stories and experiences presented by a new generation of filmmakers.
