What to expect at Al Marmoom: Film in The Desert Festival

Dubai: The fourth edition of the Al Marmoom: Film in the Desert Festival has kicked off with an array of unmissable offerings.

Organised by Dubai Culture in the Al Marmoom Desert Reserve, the festival, also an initiative under the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy 2033, features screenings of over 80 feature films. Running until January 12 under the theme ‘Where Stories Come to Life’, the event will also host interactive workshops, panel discussions and talks with a distinguished group of directors, artists and film industry experts.

Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), who opened the event yesterday. emphasised that Dubai has excelled in attracting leading directors and talents in the film industry thanks to its extensive capabilities, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and unique creative environment that fosters innovation.

She highlighted that, through its ambitious projects and initiatives, the emirate continues to enhance its global leadership, solidify its standing as a cultural and artistic capital, and establish itself as a premier destination for cinematic content creation and production.

“Cinema is one of the most powerful expressions of human creativity, distinguished by its unique visual language that seamlessly blends technical mastery with artistic purpose. It has the profound ability to shape generations rooted in values while addressing the aspirations and challenges of societies and preserving the rich history and culture of nations,” she said.

Among other highlights, the festival features an Immersive Experience Zone. The zone showcased digital artworks created using Artificial Intelligence, in addition to inspiring murals, and installations featuring the work of artists Ghaleb Hawila, Abdullah Lutfi and Mikhail Antykov.

There are also dedicated pavilions for workshops, seminars and family-friendly activities and the ‘VIP Barzah’ area, which showcases the diversity of artistic works.

Audiences at the Al Marmoom: Film in the Desert Festival will also be able to enjoy a curated selection of films chosen from amongst 240 submissions, including notable entries competing for the Al Marmoom Short-Film Competition awards across four categories: documentaries, animation, live-action and films made using Artificial Intelligence.

The festival’s programme includes more than 30 workshops led by renowned creatives and cinema experts, including four workshops organised by the College of Arts and Creative Enterprises at Zayed University. It also offers a diverse array of seminars, panel discussions and activities tailored to inspire young talents and encourage them to embark on professional careers across the cinema and the arts sectors.

Array of activities

Inspired by the iconic Ghaf tree, the festival serves as a platform to strengthen intercultural engagement and raise environmental awareness by encouraging visitors to explore the Al Marmoom Desert, a treasured nature reserve and one of Dubai’s key cultural landmarks.

The event features a wide array of activities, including performing arts, musical and heritage shows, and interactive experiences such as ‘Create Your Own AI Movie.’ Visitors can also visit the planetarium for a stargazing session, or take in the reserve’s stunning landscapes on a safari bus tour. A photography competition is also sure to add to the excitement.