The festival will also add an Animation programming segment to focus on that popular cinematic form.
The Muhr Asia/Africa Competition will feature cash prizes for the best Feature, Documentary and Short films, as well as the awards introduced this year for Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Script, Best Editor, Best Composer and Best Cinematography. Cash prizes will be equal for the Arab and Asia/Africa competitions.
Masoud Amralla al Ali, the festival's Artistic Director and Coordinator General of Competition, stated: 'DIFF is in a perfect position to showcase cinema from Asia and Africa, being a crossroads between Asia, Africa, Europe, and points beyond. We feel that this award embodies the cosmopolitan nature of our festival, as well as Dubai's incredible diversity.'
'Furthermore, some of the film communities within the remit of the new competition often operate under extreme duress. Particularly in developing countries, artists need help and recognition to continue their craft.'
In addition, there will be a special Animation segment among the Out of Competition offerings.
Simon Field, DIFF's Artistic Director of International Programming, stated: 'We included Animation as a special category first, because it is a special sub-genre that is evolving rapidly with new technology. This programme will offer viewers the chance to sample the newest trends in international animation as well as to sense the diversity in this unique art form.
'We want to showcase animation from around the region and to encourage production in that sector. To that end, we will feature the animation films made by winners of the Ibda'a Media Student Awards to demonstrate our support for that important initiative.'
The fourth successful run of DIFF draws to a close today.
Dubai International Film Festival announces 2008 expansion
At the close of the successful fourth edition of the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), the organizers announced that the Muhr Awards for Excellence in Arab Cinema will be expanded for 2008 to include a new Asia/Africa Competition.
- United Arab Emirates: Monday, December 17 - 2007 at 09:03
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About DIFF:The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) was launched in December 2004 under the theme: Bridging Cultures. Meeting Minds.
DIFF is held under the honorary Chairmanship of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum. DIFF is a not-for-profit cultural event, presented and organised by the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Authority.
As the previous editions of DIFF have demonstrated, the Festival not only presents cinematic excellence from around the world, but is also an important high-profile platform for aspiring home-grown talent.
'Bridging Cultures. Meeting Minds,' has been hailed by all as a unique and relevant theme to promote better understanding and mutual respect between different communities and countries.
Since its inception, DIFF has become an important meeting point for international and regional filmmakers and industry professionals setting the foundation for potential future collaborations.
The past three editions of DIFF have presented more than 250 films, documentaries and shorts from more than 48 countries.
DIFF 2006
In 2006 the festival took place at the magnificent Madinat Jumeirah resort. As a further commitment of DIFF's endeavours to facilitate greater opportunities for regional Arab talent, the Muhr Awards was launched. Another first for DIFF in 2006 was the setting up of the Industry Office, which was established with a view to exclusively assist the needs of all registered delegates.
DIFF 2007
The fourth edition of the Dubai International Film Festival will take place from December 9-16 and will present the best of Arab and international cinema in the feature film, shorts and documentary formats. Building on the success of last year, DIFF 2007 will also host the Muhr Awards and the Industry Office with new features.
For further information, please contact:
Majid Wasi
Senior Account Manager
Jiwin
Tel: +9714 361 3333
Fax: +9714 368 8001
Anne-Birte Stensgaard, Senior News EditorMonday, December 17 - 2007 at 09:03 UAE local time (GMT+4)
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Index : Event News : Dubai International Film Festival
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