Calling all aspiring filmmakers. If you are a UAE resident and have a unique story to share about Dubai, you could get your short film showcased at the 68th Cannes Film Festival’s Short Films corner. It gets better: the shortlisted nominees will also be mentored by filmmakers including Ali F Mostafa of From A To B fame, director Nayla Al Khaja and Mohammad Saeed Harib, known for the Freej animated series.
The competition, The Reel Dubai, will be held in partnership with the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing and Samsung.
“If you can shoot a film on a phone, then it goes to show that you are talented enough to make a film under any condition,” said Mostafa at a press conference on the sidelines of the Dubai International Film Festival (Diff). The selected contestants will be given a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 to film their project.
“My advice to all the aspiring filmmakers is 3ps: Patience, passion and perseverance,” added Mostafa.
Out of all the entries, six contestants will be selected to work under the mentorship of these three filmmakers.
“The criteria is originality and how well you can tell a story — even if you are not technically sound, we can help you with that. But first you need to know how to make an engaging story ... it should be your tribute to Dubai,” said Al Khaja.
Filmmakers will have to submit a synopsis of their proposed short film, which highlights their experience of living in Dubai, between January 25 and February 21, 2015, on the Diff website diff.ae
