The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) has unveiled its selection of Muhr Gulf Shorts, which will screen at the 14th edition of the event in a bid to highlight talent from the Arab region.
Talents from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Iraq will be presenting their shorts at the week-long festival that runs from December 6 to 13.
Omani filmmaker Mohammed Al Harthy will feature his short, Asiya, which narrates the story of a teenager who falls for an Indian actress.
Two separate entries from Saudi Arabia include Hajar Alnaim’s Detained, a story a young Syrian refugee who is detained bafter her father’s suicide bombing of an international airport, and The Scapegoat, by brothers Talha B. and Maan Binabdulrahman, which follows a former successful writer in search of his next best-selling novel.
Kurdish actor, writer and director Mohammad Sherwani presents Duaa, a short that explores the dynamics between a father and daughter. Self-taught, Iraq-born filmmaker Malik Maliki presents Lost Piece, which follows a man and woman as they contemplate life and search for infinity and perfection.
Our Neighbor Bu Hamad by Kuwaiti filmmaker Mishal Al Hulail tells the story of Khaled, who starts investigating strange noises coming from his neighbour Bu Hamad’s home.
Meanwhile, Danish-Jordanian filmmaker Ulaa Salim presents Faedreland (Land of Our Fathers), telling the story of a broken father-son relationship.
Dubai-based Bahraini storyteller Ahmad Al Kuwaiti will showcase A Time to Pray, which narrates the tale of internal conflict of morals and religious conformation.
Masoud Amralla Al Ali, Diff’s artistic director, said in a statement: “The Muhr Gulf Short category continues to grow and is receiving recognition as an excellent platform for regional filmmakers to showcase their craft and talents to an international audience. Short film is a unique craft among the film industry, and we’re thrilled to bring the latest creative projects from filmmakers around the region to the Festival.”
For more, go to diff.ae.
