Students shine at DIFF

Imagine getting work experience at one of the country's glitziest affairs while also being able to rub shoulders with world famous celebrities. That's exactly what students across the UAE got to do at this year's Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) either as volunteers, filmmakers or contest entrants. Almost 900 volunteers worked at this year's DIFF, an increase from last year's figures.

A taste of the industry

SAE Institute Dubai was DIFF's education partner this year. The institute provided camera teams and post-production teams of students who covered red carpet events, press conferences and interviews. These video clips were posted to the DIFF YouTube channel.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to gain access to one of the region's foremost film events and gather experience working under deadline while packaging a product," said SAE Institute Dubai spokesman Anthony Frantzis.

"We are looking forward to helping DIFF access a much broader audience around the world."

Campus Notes spoke to Bikramjeet Singh, a post-production volunteer from SAE Institute Dubai. "I wanted to work at this event because it's a good opportunity to network with filmmakers and this sort of experience will look good on my CV. We were working but we also got to meet stars like Gerard Butler and Minissha Lamba," the digital filmmaking major said.

Student focus

A dedicated Students Day was also held as part of DIFF in association with the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority. Three young directors gave valuable tips during a ‘First-Timers' industry panel for aspiring filmmakers.

The importance of preparation, perseverance, communication and having a clear vision was emphasised by Ali Mustafa, director, City of Life; Oliver Hermanus, director, Shirley Adams, and Serhat Caradee, director, Cedar Boys, whose films were screened during the week-long festival.

Serhat Caradee said although films have myriad creative influences, all parties ultimately have to go with the director's vision. "You need a clear vision and leadership or it will show up on screen."

Preparation was critical, he added, as you can't afford to waste time or money on set. "A good screenplay is like gold," he said. "There are plenty of producers and directors, but if you're a good writer, you're in."

Mr and Mrs Right, a Dubai Women's College student effort, was voted among the top 20 by a Dubai magazine this year. DWC officials said the film was in the top 10 for many industry professionals.

The student film by Elham Sharaf and Hind Al Hammadi discusses traditional Emirati marriage, voicing the opinions of Emirati youth.

Budding Emirati filmmaker

Budding Emirati filmmaker Mustafa Abbas's ambitions have been fuelled since he participated in the Dubai International Film Festival this year. He is currently working on his first feature film after graduating with a bachelor's degree in fine arts and filmmaking from Middlesex University Dubai last year.

The 24-year-old director can already boast a film screening at the 2007 Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) for his short film 100 Miles. Having also won an award for best non-documentary film at the 2007 Emirates Film Competition for 100 Miles, he says making movies is something he is compelled to do.

"I wish I had a choice but I don't. I have to do this," said Abbas. "It's my creative outlet. I need to bring these characters to life," he said, emphasising the word ‘need'.

Abbas said he has been scripting and filming movies since the age of 12. "I used to write them in my room and film them at home."

He said his style has always been to make crime thrillers, evident in his upcoming Arabic/English feature film as yet untitled. "It is about street gangs here in the UAE," said Abbas.

He admits his initial filmmaking style was aimed at a particular audience. "Americans and Europeans tend to better understand my style," he said.

However, Abbas said he holds his culture dear, which is why he wants to make films to cater to Middle Eastern audiences. "I care about the Emirati film industry and want to make movies here as well, to cater to both Western and Eastern audiences," he said.

AUS student scoops Young Journalist Award

Budding film journalist Sidra Tariq Seddiqi from the American University of Shajrah has been awarded the Dubai International Film Festival Young Journalist Award.

Colin Brown, who held the Young Journalist workshop, said Sidra's outstanding news and review writing skills meant she pipped her nine colleagues to the prestigious award."Sidra's work was so good that we had to remind ourselves that she was a student."

Launched last year, the award is part of the Industry Office's commitment to enhance the skills of the arts within the UAE.