This is just in: British actress Emily Blunt is heading to Dubai International Film Festival (Diff) with her best juror face on, organisers have announced.
Since 2012, one filmmaker from the Middle East has won $100,000 (Dh367,303) at the annual festival courtesy of the IWC Filmmaker Award, helping them bring their script to the screen. The initiative was born out of a two-year-old IWC Schauffhausen and Diff collaboration.
Australian actress Cate Blanchett had been on the jury for the award’s past two editions, but Blunt will take over this year as one of the deciding jurors.
“I’m truly excited about visiting Dubai, and it’s a great honour for me to be a part of the IWC Filmmaker Award jury and support a valuable initiative that promotes the art of film in the Gulf,” said Blunt in a press release. “It will be fascinating to see the scripts and discover forthcoming films that will undoubtedly touch the hearts and minds of audiences in the region and internationally.”
The 31-year-old Bafta winner shot to fame after a memorable role as a haughty assistant in Devil Wears Prada, which earned her a Golden Globe nomination. Most recently, she acted in the 2014 science fiction film Edge of Tomorrow with Tom Cruise.
“The experience and discernment of our jury are vital in helping the Dubai International Film Festival encourage exceptional filmmaking, and we are honoured to have such distinguished jury members come to Dubai to select the IWC Filmmaker Award winner,” said Diff chairman Abdul Hamid Juma.
This edition’s winning project will be chosen from three shortlisted scripts. Last year, Emirati director Waleed Al Shehhi walked away with the grand prize for his script, Dolphins. The year before, Iraqi-Emirati director Maysoon Pachachi won for Nothing Doing in Baghdad.
Diff is set to run between December 10 and 17. The IWC Filmmaker Award will be given away at a gala on December 11. For more, go to dubaifilmfest.com
