Let the festival begin

Expect lights, cameras and a week of action as the inaugural Middle East International Film Festival prepares to launch in style this weekend.

An international all-star team of industry experts has brought together world-renowned directors, film gurus, guest speakers, not to mention some of the screenplays the world has been waiting for, to kick off the first regional celebration of film.

Held in Abu Dhabi, at the impressive Conference Palace Hotel, the team hopes the festival will appeal to residents, visitors, filmmakers and industry specialists of all ages and nationalities.

Huge success

With the usual fill of red carpet premieres, star speakers and master-class experts, local, Bollywood, Asian and international film, the festival is set to be a huge success in its first year.

Running from October 14 to 19, the event incorporates official competitions across four categories, as well as a Film Financing Circle where a panel of judges will select an up-and-coming filmmaker from a shortlist of six, who will then be lucky enough to have his or her screenplay funded, marketed and supported through grants of up to $100,000 (Dh367,240).

Over five days, the Middle Eastern International Film Festival (MEIFF) will present more than 50 films within a diverse slate of regional and international films with an emphasis on emerging artists. Three Jury Prizes will be awarded; two in the Official Competition section and one in the Short Film Competition section, and winners will receive the Black Pearl, consisting of a trophy and substantial production grants towards the funding of their next project.

Cultural event

MEIFF is a cultural event dedicated to bringing a diverse slate of international films and programmes to the community and introducing filmmakers from around the world to the resources of the region.

Presented by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH), MEIFF is committed to nurturing relationships and providing opportunities to those looking to invest in the future of film. In this regard, the festival will launch the inaugural Film Financing Circle (FFC), from October 15 to 17, which will become a significant annual conference on the subject of international co-productions.

Tickets for all screenings are free as long as the tickets are ordered in advance from either the ticket hotline or the website.

The festival's trophies will be handmade sculptures, representing the exquisite black pearl, a rare and precious jewel originally discovered along the shallow waters of the Abu Dhabi coastline.

Awards Black Pearl

Three winners from the Official Competition section, one each from the Fiction, Documentary, and Short Films categories, will receive the Black Pearl, consisting of a trophy and a production grant towards the funding of their next project.

Audience Awards

In addition to the Black Pearl, the Fiction, Documentary and Short Films categories are each eligible for an Audience Award.

Hayah Film Awards

Through an online voting process, three winners from the Hayah Film Competition, one each from the Professional, Student and Amateur categories, will also receive an audience award consisting of a cash prize.

Jury Prize

One winner from the Middle East Showcase, who will receive a production grant towards the funding of their next project.

Film financing circle
When: October 15-17, 2007
Where: Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi.
Number of Guests: 200.

What is it?
In addition to providing international and regional filmmakers with festival exposure, MEIFF will help to secure appropriate film financing opportunities for the international investment community with the Film Financing Circle (FFC). MEIFF aims to set itself apart from the plethora of festivals through the FFC.

This comprehensive conference will bring together industry leaders and filmmakers to share their experience and vision for the future with festival guests as well as the international and regional investment communities.

There will be panel discussions - international players will outline and debate finance options and discuss current and future markets. Each day will focus on a different aspect of production.

There will be luncheon presentations, afternoon breakout sessions and masterclasses given by some of the industry's biggest names including Paul Haggis - Academy Award-winning director of Crash and Million Dollar Baby.

Tickets and passes

During this inaugural year, MEIFF will be offering complimentary tickets to general screenings. However, filmgoers must register and possess a ticket or a pass to access general screenings. Tickets can be secured in advance online at www.meiff.com

Platinum Pass: Dh3,600

The Platinum Pass provides access to the Opening Night Gala, Closing Night Awards Ceremony, and Special Screenings (invitations will be for passholder plus one guest). In addition, Platinum Passholders will have access to the Hospitality Suite, All Film Financing Circle events (including lunches) and General Screenings.

Gold Pass: Dh1,825

The Gold Pass provides access to the Opening Night Gala, the Closing Night Awards Ceremony, the Film Financing Circle (excluding lunches) General Screenings and the Hospitality Suite.
Film Financing Pass: Dh725
Access to Film Financing Circle events (including lunches).

Opening and closing nights

The opening night gala, on Sunday, sees the regional premiere of Atonement, a film by internationally-acclaimed director Joe Wright, starring Keira Knightley and James McAvoy. The screening will be followed by a red-carpet reception at the Emirates Palace. The evening, which will include a taste of local culture, will attract UAE personalities, city dignitaries and celebrity talent to the Palace Terrace.

A closing night awards ceremony will also be held on Friday, October 19. Scheduled to take place in the Grand Ballroom, Grand Jury Prize winners (Narrative Feature, Documentary Feature and Short Film categories) will receive the prestige Black Pearl, as well as their substantial production grant. Additional prizes will include: Audience Awards, Middle East Filmmaker of Year and Career Achievement Award. This first-class affair will continue on the Gazebo Terrace with fireworks under the stars.

The team

The festival has secured a team of international talents from the Middle East, Europe and the United States to programme and organise the event.

Seasoned veterans joining Executive Director, Nashwa Al-Ruwaini, and Festival Director, Jon Fitzgerald, include: Adrienne Briggs, as Film Financing Circle Conference Director, Claudia Durgnat, as Managing Director, Samir Farid, as Festival Consultant, Rob Aft, as Film Financing Circle Consultant, and Ian Birnie, as Jury President. Led by Fitzgerald, the programming team will include former American Film Institute Director of Programming, Nancy Collet, and Alice Kharoubi, of the Cannes and Barcelona film festivals.

The festival is founded by Shaikh Sultan Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman of both the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage and the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, along with Mohammad Khalaf Al Mazrouie, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage.

Festival at a glance

Official Competition
This section presents a taste of international cinema, featuring films by emerging filmmakers. This section will include fiction and documentary films with Jury Prizes offered in each category.

Short Film Competition
Short films from around the world star in a programme demonstrating standout work from new filmmakers.

Middle East Showcase
Films from the Middle East light up the screen in a competitive programme designed to celebrate talent from this region.

Women of Arab Cinema
A retrospective in celebration of cinematic achievements of Arab women.

Hayah Film Competition
In the spirit of innovation and new technology, this competition has been developed for short films of no longer than five minutes in length, and will be open to filmmakers throughout the Middle East region.

Premieres
A collection of high-profile films making their international or regional premiere, including Rendition, starring Reese Witherspoon, In the Valley of Elah, starring Tommy Lee Jones and I'm Not There, starring Cate Blanchett, Christian Bale and Richard Gere.

Bollywood Spotlight
In celebration of the 60th anniversary of India's independence, the festival will exhibit a selection of this nation's energetic and spectacular features.

For more information about all the films being screened visit www.meiff.com or check tabloid! each day.