Fifth Dubai International Film Festival dates announced

Further details will be forthcoming throughout the year, but organizers have already announced that the festival will add a programming segment devoted exclusively to animation, and that the Muhr Awards will be expanded to the Muhr Asia/Africa Competition, which will run alongside the successful Muhr Awards for Excellence in Arab Cinema.

DIFF Chairman Abdulhamid Juma commented on the fifth edition:

'Although the festival is almost 10 months away, our work begins immediately to bring Dubai the fifth edition of the biggest event on the emirate's cultural calendar. We have received such strong support from the Dubai community as well as from Government Departments, Sponsors, Schools and Volunteers. We look forward to seeing you in December.'

DIFF brings together the foremost cinema figures and fans from the Arab world and beyond, and with each year it adds more high-level events to its repertoire. The fourth edition saw the inaugural Cinema Against AIDS Dubai charity auction raise USD 3 Million for the fight against HIV/AIDS. It also introduced Rhythm and Reels, a new concept of enjoying cinema through the pairing of a new and daring musical film with a live musical performance for three evenings under the stars at the Dubai Media City Amphitheatre.

DIFF is one of the most anticipated annual cultural events in Dubai bringing the best in International and Arab cinema to film lovers in the region. The fifth edition of DIFF promises to continue premiering films of excellence and also host innovative events celebrating the magic of cinema.