Gimme muhr: a handy cash prize from DIFF

Advances in everyday technology have brought the possibilities of filmmaking within the grasp of the masses.

But setting aside surprise successes like the low-budget hit Paranormal Activity, if it's Steven Spielberg's job you're after, there's no way around the fact that it's cash you'll need to make it big.

With this in mind, it's no surprise that the Dubai International Film Festival's coveted Muhr Awards, with more than $500,000 (Dh1.83 million) up for grabs, are always inundated with entries.

This year 28 awards are presented for feature, short and documentary films in both the Arab and Asia/Africa categories.

Designed to give local and regional directors, producers, actors and actresses a platform to launch their projects, the awards come with a cash sum for the winner's next project.

The entrant must be either of nationality or origin of the geographical category and the storyline should be centered around either the Arab, Asian or African world.

tabloid! caught up with winners from last year as well as a few hopefuls vying for this year's awards.

Name: Lloyd Ross
Age: 52
Film: The Silver Fez
Nationality: South African
Category: Documentary

Describe your film: "An insight into a beautiful and haunting music which came to Cape Town centuries ago on slave ships."

If you won, how would it change your life? "I'm not sure, but it would be added to the list of life changes the making of this film has so far brought about."

Why should we watch your film? "The film started out as an anthropological investigation of a unique form of cultural expression and ended up as a David vs Goliath drama on a Hollywoodian scale. It entertains while it educates. The audience experience so far has been one of wonder this culture has never been exposed before, while at the same time [viewers can] relate intimately with the characters as they go through their heartbreaks and triumphs."

At DIFF I won't miss: "Zanzibar Music Club, because I've always been fascinated by Taraab music."

Name: Kazuhiro Soda
Age: 39
The film: Mental
Nationality: Japanese
Which category did you win? Asia/Africa for Best Documentary
How much did you win? $40,000 (Dh146,892)

How has it changed your life? "It's not so easy to keep making documentaries. Sometimes it's been so challenging that I have almost given up. But the award gave me an assurance that I'm on the right track and that I should keep making movies. It really encouraged me to keep making films."

What are you working on now? "I'm editing a new feature documentary, Theater [working title], which is about Japanese genius playwright/theatre director Oriza Hirata and his company."

Ali Mostafa is living proof the DIFF Muhr Awards not only work for the individual but also have the potential to change the film industry in the Arab world forever.

Winning the Best Film category in 2007 provided the already-determined Emirati director the financial support he needed to get the wheels rolling on Dubai's first feature film, City of Life. Better still, the movie will this year enjoy a red carpet gala screening — something Mostafa said was his dream the year he picked up the trophy.

"I am so excited City of Life will be screened this year. To have it screened at all would be amazing, but to secure a red carpet gala night is indescribable."

City of Life, stars local and international talent including Britain's Jason Flemyng — of Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button fame — and Dubai TV presenter Saoud Al Ka'abi.

Born to an Emirati father and a British mother, Mostafa first made a name for himself with the short film Under The Sun, which won the Emirates Film Competition in 2006 and Best Foreign Film at the San Fernando Valley International Film Festival.

"My motivation was to give DIFF an opportunity to screen an Emirati feature film," he said. "I've done it and I can't wait to see the reaction now. It's about real people and a real Dubai. I think it will surprise a few people."

City of Life will be screened on Friday at 8pm following a red carpet arrival for Mostafa.

"I plan to enjoy every minute of it," he said.

Name: Muayad Alayan
Age: 24
Film: Lesh Sabreen?
Nationality: Palestinian
Category: Arabic Short

Describe your film: "In [Occupied] Jerusalem, two young Palestinian lovers try to navigate with their dreams through economic hardship and a conservative society."

If you won, how would it change your life? "The potential award would be timely, since I need to start raising seed funding for my upcoming first feature film, A House in Jerusalem. Raising funds for pre-production is usually the hardest for a filmmaker. The Muhr Awards are pioneering Arab funding in the field of filmmaking. It would be an honour to win it."

Why should we watch your film? "This question is best answered by quoting the Youth Jury at the 2009 Cork Film Festival. They said: ‘Wonderful contradictions unravel side by side throughout this film: political idealism and social realism, love in a despondent world, and humour in the midst of tragedy.'"

At DIFF I won't miss: "Zindeeq by Michael Khalifa, the father of new Palestinian cinema."

Name: Haolun Shu
Age: 37
The film: Shao Nian Xue
Nationality: Chinese
Which category did you win? Muhr Asia/Africa Best Short Film
How much did you win? $30,000 (Dh110,196)

How has it changed your life? “The award has given me recognition on a global scale and has given me the confidence to make full-length feature films. It established me as a filmmaker and the prize money helped me a lot.”

What are you working on now? “Black and White Photo is my next feature project, and although the budget was more than the prize, I invested it all in this project. It’s bigger than the short film, but I hope to enter the contest again next year in the feature category.”

Name: Carlos Chahine
The film: The North Road
Nationality: French/Lebanese
Which category did you win? Best Short
How much did you win? $30,000

How has it changed your life? “It was wonderful to be distinguished in such an important festival. It gave me confidence to continue to work as a director and the money helped me to continue writing future projects.

What are you working on now? A short film and a feature project.