Like all film festival experiences, Dubai International Film Festival boils down to more than just the glitter and glam. Often, the shiniest of gems are hidden in the nooks and crannies of the eight-day programme, whether be they panel discussions, ticket specials or unexpected showcases.
This year, Dubai Film Market manager Samr Al Marzouqi filled tabloid! in on the 11 things everyone should keep an eye out for at the 11th edition of the festival.
1. The free outdoor screenings, starting at 7.30pm every night at The Beach, opposite JBR. There’s something for everyone to enjoy with a wonderful mix of documentaries and feature films from talented global directors.
2. The ‘Friend of the Festival’ package that allows you to enjoy unique VIP privileges at the festival. Get special access to screenings, be a part of the opening and closing ceremony and attend exclusive conferences to interact with industry specialists.
3. The student special. If you’re a student, you can apply to get a Diff student badge. This will allow you to four regular screening tickets per day at any of the Diff box office locations or online at diff.ae.
4. The State of the Region’s TV discussion on December 11 in the Diff Forum Room in the Dubai Film Market at Madinat Jumeirah Conference Centre. The discussion will provide an overview of the regional television landscape that reveals what the broadcasters are buying, producing, showing and describes their digital strategy.
5. A bonus screening at The Beach, opposite JBR, on December 12, where you can watch fifteen of the UAE’s budding filmmakers’ films at Diff, produced as part of the Samsung Short Film Contest.
6. The #MyDubai films showcase at 6pm on December 13, held at The Beach. As part of the #MyDubai initiative, these five one-off short films will capture the lesser-known aspects of everyday life in the city. This will be followed by a free screening of Abood Kandaishan from Emirati filmmaker Fadel Al Mheiri.
7. The “Short Films: A Stepping Stone or the Final Destination” masterclass on December 14, by two-time Oscar-winning producer Kim Magnusson, at the Diff Forum Room. The workshop will discuss how short films can be a great launchpad for a future career in feature film but also how they are an amazing form of storytelling in their own right.
8. The “Ways of Seeing: Cross-Overs in Art and Cinema” discussion with curator Omar Kholeif on December 15 at the Diff Forum Room. Kholeif will go through an illustrated case study of the work of award-winning artist and filmmaking duo Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige, exploring the possibilities of working between art and cinema. Omar and the filmmakers will discuss the complexities of funding and producing hybrid art-film projects.
9. The “How Gulf Filmmakers See their Future in Film?” panel on December 14 at the Diff Forum Room. Gulf filmmakers share their experiences from helming a short film to completing a feature and their observations on the growth of the industry around them. Hear about their journey so far and their projections as we look through their lenses into the future of filmmaking in the region.
10. On Monday, December 15, founder and artistic director of the international brand MAKE UP FOR EVER, Dany Sanz, will hold an educational workshop where she will reveal her professional secrets in the art of make-up.
11. An “In Conversation” event with Academy Award-nominee Virginia Madsen on December 15 at the Diff Forum Room. She will provide first-hand insight into her career, spanning more than 100 titles, and the difference between acting for film and TV.
