DIFF Apprenticeship Programme makes a come back in 2006 edition

Eleven apprentices comprising UAE nationals and expatriates will be selected this year from a pool of university students, local filmmakers and fresh graduates to participate in DIFF 2006. Registration details for the programme will be available on the DIFF website from 29 October, 2006.

Abdulhamid Juma, Chairman of DIFF said: "The success of the inaugural Apprenticeship Programme last year highlighted the community's genuine interest in film making and film festivals.

"This year, we again invite the active participation of film enthusiasts and encourage them to enrich their understanding of the creative medium. Participants can use the DIFF forum to gain industry specific knowledge through interaction with experts, both from the UAE and the international film making community."

Under the guidelines of the Apprenticeship Programme, the apprentices will receive mentorship from senior festival management and administrators on the running of an international film festival. They will also play an integral role in the Programming and Guest Relations team.

Taking directions from experienced industry experts, the apprentices will also be introduced to the film industry through networking opportunities with regional and international filmmakers, studio executives, film distributors, sales agents, programmers, journalists, publicity agencies and talent agents.

Apprentices will be assigned to specific departments during the festival period in various capacities. Acting as key liaisons between DIFF programmers and the management, they will help ensure the smooth implementation of the festival's programmes.

Saeed Al Daheri, who was selected as an apprentice in DIFF 2005, said: "I was given an excellent opportunity to be directly involved in the management of the festival. It helped cultivate my interest in filmmaking as a craft, and to observe and absorb the effort that goes into the successful staging of such a huge event. Although extremely demanding, the programme serves as a great launch pad for a career in film."

Al Dhaheri along with Iman Al Omrani, also an apprentice from last year, and new recruit Khalid Al Mahmood will support Masoud Amralla Al Ali in his mandate as the Artistic Director for Arab Programming.

To enroll for the Apprenticeship Programme, candidates may apply online at www.dubaifilmfest.com. The deadline for submission of applications is 12 November. Following a selection process through interviews on 19-20 November, apprenticeship will commence on 1 December and continue until the end of the festival.

DIFF 2006, which seeks to celebrate cinema in the Arab world through initiatives such as the Arab Film Competition and the Muhr Awards for Excellence in Arab Cinema, will run from 10-17 December.