Five Arab filmmakers were collectively awarded $60,000 (Dh220,339) in funding, along with partnership opportunities, with the Dubai Film Connection (DFC), the co-production market of the Dubai International Film Festival (Diff).
The $25,000 Diff Award was awarded to the film The Syrians, directed by Mohammad Esmail Laouti and produced by Willy Rolle. The project was also invited to the Tribeca Film Institute and received a nomination for the next round of the Film Prize of the Robert Bosch Stiftung.
The $10,000 Art Award was given to You Will Die at Twenty, helmed by Sudanese filmmaker Amjad Abu Alaa and produced by Hossam Elouan.
The $10,000 Hideaway Entertainment Award was given to The Unwanted, with Moroccan director Anwar Boulifa and producer Bertrand Faivre, while the Cinescape/Front Row Award of similar amount was handed to Jordanian director Bassel Gandour and producer Rula Nasser for their project, The Alleys.
The latter project also earned a SORFOND Pitching Forum accreditation.
Meanwhile, Lebanese director Wissam Charaf and producer Charlotte Vincent were handed €5,000 (Dh21,608) for the film Dirty, Difficult, Dangerous.
Filmmakers behind shortlisted projects presented their work at DFC for a chance to win a stake in funding, and networking access with international and regional film industry experts to help bring their developing projects to life.
Since its inception 10 years ago, DFC has helped 148 films from across the Arab world to share their stories with international audiences, 60 of which were completed. The criteria looked at includes quality of idea, feasibility of the budget and project potential.
— The Young Journalist Award (YJA) at Diff is a training programme for high school and university students who are aspiring writers and reporters. Seven students are competing at the festival this year. One winner will secure a monthlong internship with Gulf News.
