Emirati film director Abdullah Al Ka'abi has added another feather to his cap — the Tribeca Film Festival 2011 in New York. This will be the 16th festival selection for Al Ka'abi's short film, The Philosopher, which premiered at the Dubai International Film Festival in December.
tabloid! was the first newspaper to announce the film, starring legendary French actor Jean Reno, in October.
The Philosopher will be among 250 films to be screened at the 12-day Tribeca Film Festival, co-founded by Hollywood actor Robert De Niro in 2002. The festival has also partnered with the Doha Tribeca Film Festival, now in its second year held in the Qatari capital.
Speaking to tabloid! from Paris where he is based, Al Ka'abi said he never anticipated the interest his film has garnered.
"I just hope I don't disappoint. I want to make my people proud of this achievement," he said. "After viewing the first cut, Jean [Reno] told me, ‘Take this film around the world and fly.' The promotion stage of a film is equally as important as the production."
He said he has been moved by the support he has received, especially from his compatriots.
"After seeing my film, a film expert asked me: ‘Are you really 24?'" he said. "The support has been tremendous. I have been away since December promoting the film but the amount of messages on email and Twitter are humbling indeed and can't wait to be back home after Tribeca and Cannes."
Al Ka'abi is currently in development of his first feature film, starring Reno and fellow French actress Virginie Ledoyen, to be shot by the end of 2011 in the Emirates and France.
