Aseelah, Morocco: A variety of Emirati short films has been screened in Morocco as part of Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage participation in the 32nd Aseelah Festival.

The films are part of the large Emirati artistic presence at the festival of which the UAE is Guest of Honour.

The screenings were held at the Adellah Guennon Square in Aseelah's medina with the films being projected onto one of the old medina walls. Nine short films were shown, dealing with subjects such as loss, hope and modernity.

Talent

The film that drew one of the most enthusiastic responses was Waleed Al Shehi's Bab, which is a 19-minute surreal drama about the human psyche. Also popular was Saeed Salman's Bint Mariam, the story of a widowed young woman who goes on a journey of self-discovery.

The breadth of talent evident at the screenings is a testament to the unceasing work of those within the Emirati film industry to showcase their work to bigger audiences.

According to Al Shehi, there is much work to be done: "We still face a battle to get recognition, but we help each other and of course festivals like this and the help of Adach can make that struggle easier."

The presence of Emirati filmmakers as well as artists, writers and intellectuals, officially delegated by the state, and their participation at the Festival gives Aseelah's multi-ethnic and cultural public a glimpse of the latest developments on the Emirati art scene.

The public will be able to witness first-hand the impact that Adach has had in bolstering authentic Arabic music and sponsoring young talent.

Tradition: Musicians perform

Musicians from the Bait Al Oud Al Arabi performed authentic Arabian music on Thursday night at Prince Bandar Bin Sultan in the ongoing Aseelah Festival in Morocco.

The performance was presented by the Abu Dhbai Authority for Culture and Heritage (Adach) as part of its participation in the 32nd Aseelah Festival.

The musical group included oud players and qanoun players: Ahmad Hamed, Ayad Al Khalidy, Sherin Tohamy, Faisal Ahmad, Bassam Abdul Sattar and Mohammad Tabbara.

They performed masterpieces representing the greatness of Arab music such as musical pieces by legendary composers Mohammad Abdul Wahab, Munir Bashir and Nasser Shammas.

The programme also included other musical peices such as Life Mural, Tour of Arab Souks, Common Destiny and others.