Dubai International Film Festival is back after ten years to nurture Arab filmmakers in 2027

Dubai: Calling all DIFF fans! The beloved Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), which saw stars like Tom Cruise walk the red carpet, is set to return with a revamped format and a renewed focus on Arab cinema.

The festival will return to UAE in December 2027 to create an integrated platform for filmmakers and emerging talent, said Mona Ghanem Al Marri at the on-going Arab Media Summit.

Al Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council and President of the Dubai Press Club, said the first edition of the revived festival would be dedicated to Arab films, providing directors, producers, actors and writers with a wider platform to showcase their work and engage with audiences, critics and industry professionals.

The festival’s first edition in its new format will focus on Arab cinema, spotlighting films and filmmakers from across the region.

It will offer directors, producers, actors and writers a platform to showcase their work, exchange ideas and connect with audiences, critics and industry professionals.

Al Marri said the festival’s return goes beyond reviving a cinematic event that has long been associated with Dubai’s cultural scene. The new format is intended to create a broader ecosystem for film, bringing together screenings, industry dialogue, talent discovery and knowledge exchange.

The initiative will also focus on supporting emerging filmmakers by creating opportunities for them to enter the industry, build their skills and develop their expertise.

In the past, DIFF was one of UAE's biggest flagpole cinematic events and saw a galaxy of Hollywood, Bollywood, and Arab A-listers attend.