It is that time of year again where some of the world's biggest movie industry names are set to descend on Dubai for the region's leading film festival.
For a week in December, the 8th annual Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) will set the city abuzz with its glitz and glamour.
However, it is the sweat and toil of an invisible team of people unified in hard work who put together one of the most magical events on the city's social calendar.
It is in search of this team of busy bees that the Dubai Entertainment and Media Organisation, the owners and organisers of DIFF, hosted a career fair last week.
With more than 200 vacant positions across 15 departments, young and old alike turned up in their hundreds to apply for a chance to be part of this year's festival.
However, with both paid and voluntary positions on offer in departments such as: Box Office and Customer Service; Theatre Operations, Registration and Accreditation and Dubai Film Market. This year's event, like those in the past, offers up a guaranteed rewarding work placement experience for new temporary recruits.
"These positions not only give people a chance to be part of the world of cinema but also gain valuable professional experience," said Mohammad Al Hosani; Human Resources and Volunteers Manager at Dubai Entertainment and Media Organisation.
"For students in particular having the festival background on their CV will look great."
Stars in their eyes
First year media students, Meera Al Muhairi, Shaikha Ayoub, Hamda Blmur Al Suboosi, from Dubai Women's College were at the career fair in search of positions on the red carpet and the operations and registration departments.
"I'm here applying to gain work experience while I study in order to meet people, network and grow, which will help me in my studies and career," said Shaikha.
"I want to learn how to communicate with people better and gain confidence in dealing with different types of characters," said Hamda.
Meera, who aspires to be a television presenter, is looking forward to a possible chance at rubbing shoulders with the movie heavy weights.
However, it was not all about the glitz and glamour for some of the applicants. Mohammad Shuayb, a mechanical engineering student at Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani in Dubai was at the fair in search of valuable work experience.
"Working with DIFF is a great chance to gain professional work experience," he said. However he did add that the glamour and buzz surrounding such an event does add to the excitement.
Just can't get enough
Benjamin Amy joined DIFF again this year for the fifth year running in the position of VIP manager. He has met and worked with, for the festival, the likes of George Clooney, Colin Firth, Salma Hayek and even Queen Noor of Jordan. However, he enjoys his role most for the behind-the-scenes process of it all.
"I have an interest in film festivals the presentation and screenings of films from around the world," he said. "It's all very exciting and there are many exciting positions to be filled in the festival."
His advice to all applicants is to be enthusiastic and be flexible in their timings and availability due to the intense nature of the roles. "It also helps to be curious about different things from around the world."
DIFF will be held in Dubai from December 7 to 14 and all interest applicants for either paid or voluntary positions should apply at diffcareers@tecom.ae. All applicants must be 21-years or older. For more information visit www.dubaifilmfest.com
Students can also register for free passes to film screenings and industry panel discussions and workshops.
Dubai Some of the world's biggest movie industry names are set to descend on Dubai for the region's leading film festival.
For a week in December, the eighth annual Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) will set the city abuzz with its glitz and glamour.
However, it is the sweat and toil of an invisible team of people who put together one of the most magical events on the city's social calendar.
It is in search of this team of busy bees that the Dubai Entertainment and Media Organisation, the owners and organisers of DIFF, hosted a career fair last week.
With more than 200 vacant positions across 15 departments, young and old alike turned up in their hundreds to apply for a chance to be part of this year's festival.
There are both paid and voluntary positions on offer in departments such as Box Office and Customer Service, Theatre Operations, Registration and Accreditation and Dubai Film Market. This year's event, like previous ones, offers a guaranteed rewarding work placement experience for new temporary recruits.
Valuable experience
"These positions give people a chance to be part of the world of cinema and also gain valuable professional experience," said Mohammad Al Hosani, Human Resources and Volunteers Manager at Dubai Entertainment and Media Organisation.
"For students in particular, having the festival background on their CV will look great."
First year media students Meera Al Muhairi, Shaikha Ayoub, Hamda Blmur Al Suboosi, from Dubai Women's College were at the career fair in search of positions on the red carpet and the operations and registration departments.
"I'm here applying to gain work experience while I study in order to meet people, network and grow, which will help me in my studies and career," said Shaikha.
"I want to learn how to communicate with people better and gain confidence in dealing with different types of characters," said Hamda.
Meera, who aspires to be a television presenter, is looking forward to a chance at meeting the movie heavy weights.
However, it was not all about the glitz and glamour for some of the applicants. Mohammad Shuayb, a mechanical engineering student at Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani in Dubai was looking for valuable work experience.
"Working with DIFF is a great chance to gain professional work experience," he said. However he did add that the glamour and buzz adds to the excitement.
Just can't get enough
Benjamin Amy joined DIFF again this year for the fifth year running in the position of VIP manager. He has met and worked with, through the festival, the likes of George Clooney, Colin Firth, Salma Hayek and even Queen Noor of Jordan.
However, he enjoys his role most for the behind-the-scenes process.
His advice to all applicants is to be enthusiastic and be flexible in their timings and availability due to the intense nature of the roles. "It also helps to be curious about different things from around the world."
DIFF will be held from December 7 to 14. All interested applicants, for either paid or voluntary positions, should apply at diffcareers@tecom.ae. All applicants must be 21 years or older. For more information visit www.dubaifilmfest.com
Students can also register for free passes to film screenings and panel discussions and workshops.
