Editorial: Good morning sunshine

No festival worth the meaning of the word can do without critics of cinema. Most festivals, including Dubai, need this bunch of deeply involved and concerned individuals who spend their lifetime (the good ones, at least) watching films and developing strategies to enrich the culture of cinema.

The interest of film festivals in the critics has given the two parties a harmony and dependency. The critics fly in to film festivals and all that they need to do is watch good films. And the festivals create the right conditions for them to do so.

Many festivals are now insisting on having the influential The International Federation of Film Critics' award alongside the festival's own award.

Arab critics attending DIFF need to feel that they are part of the festival and must raise the voice if they face unequal interest.

But all those I've met have been very happy about the whole affair.