Keeping it reel...

Every day this week, festival director Jon Fitzgerald gives you his views on the day's events.

Two of today's highlights include films from the Middle East. Caramel is a an award-winner from the Cannes Film Festival and the Lebanese entry for Academy Award consideration.

Salata Baladi is a multiethnic documentary from Egypt. Both films are competing for the coveted Black Pearl prizes in their categories, which comes with development funding towards their next project.

My tip for today is to get out and support your local offerings and enjoy some great cinema at the same time.

Inside scoop: Thanks to a dedicated hospitality team, more than 300 guests have been given a warm welcome, staying in a variety of hotels, including Emirates Palace, Intercontinental, Shangri-la, and the Sheraton.

It has taken a group of drivers, 18 sponsored Mercedes, shuttle busses, and an army of taxis to transport the guests to and from locations during the course of the week.