Dubai International Film Festival

Industry buyers at DIFF will have one of the strongest repertoires of films to choose from including 103 films screened at DIFF, 43 films from the Gulf Film Festival, and 78 Filmmart-recommended films. The line-up includes 23 world premieres, 6 international Premieres, 37 Middle East premieres, and 21 GCC premieres.

Ziad Yaghi, Director, Dubai Filmmart, said the trading and distribution platform has grown considerably over the past years by successfully accomplishing distribution deals for films from the Arab world to the wider international markets and vice versa. "Dubai Film Market is arguably the largest of its kind industry event in the Arab world, Asia and Africa, showing the most versatile collection of movies. We have serious buyers from across the world, opening doors for producers to new and untapped markets. This is particularly relevant for Arab films, as they stand to gain a new foothold internationally."

"Driving forward its objectives of maximising producer-distributor interaction, the Dubai Filmmart unites industry executives from all backgrounds and origins, to trade and distribute film content globally," he added.

The selection of films from DIFF available for acquisition this year include Mohamed Diab's 678, Hesham Issawi's El Khoroug (Cairo Exit), Zeina Sfeir's Beirut Al Mouss (All About My Father), Abdulla Al Kaabi's The Philosopher, Feng Xiaogang's Tang Shan Da Di Zheng (Aftershock), Ahmad Abdalla's Microphone, George Hachem's Rsassa Taycheh (Stray Bullet), Daniel Rudi Haryanto's Prison and Paradise, Mahmoud Al Massad's This is my picture when I was dead, among others.

Films from the Gulf Film Festival 2009 include Ashraf Ghori's Levity - Xero Error Minus 1, Soniya Kriplani's DoBuy - The Fabric of Faith, Bader Al-Hamoud's Dark, Fadel Al Muhairi's Night Guard, and Hussein Abbas El Hulaybi's Longing among others.

The Filmmart's recommendations include Houaida Azar's Beirut Express, Chloe Mazlo's Deyrouth, Sahera Dirbas' Jerusalem Bride, Roy Khalil's Kil El Assafir Bit Sawfir (All Birds Whistle), Ibrahim El Batout's Hawi, and critically acclaimed Pink Sari by Kim Longinotto.

The films will be available at potential buyers' fingertips via state-of-the-art-touch-screens, designed with sophisticated software which includes direct links to sales agents, at The Cinetech, the Filmmart's digital video library, designed to assist buyers, distributors, and broadcasters with the screening process.
Last year, over 3,100 screenings were made for industry buyers at the Dubai Filmmart. The most-viewed films were Ali Mostafa's City of Life, Michel Khleifi's Zindeeq, and A Prophet by Jacques Audiard.
Through matchmaking sessions that connect prospective buyers with sellers, and consultancy services for Market delegates, the Dubai Film Market Private Meeting Lounge serves as a key networking venue during the Festival, attracting regional and international industry professionals.
The seventh edition of Dubai International Film Festival 2010 will be held from December 12 to 19. DIFF 2010 is held in association with Dubai Studio City. Dubai Duty Free, Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai Pearl, Emirates Airline and Madinat Jumeirah are the principal sponsors of DIFF. The Festival is supported by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority.  Accreditation for DIFF 2010 is now open at www.dubaifilmfest.com.
DIFF 2010 box office locations are: CineStar Mall of the Emirates, the Madinat Souk, the CNN Building in Dubai Media City and The Walk at JBR. Tickets can also be purchased through DIFF's Dial-a-Ticket service at (04) 391 3378 and from the website, www.dubaifilmfest.com.