Switzerland 'In the Spotlight' at Gulf Film Festival

The selected shorts document people at work and at play, highlighting diverse themes such as love, struggle, adventure, relationships and madness set in and around the country and shot in Swiss, French and German languages.

Commenting on the selection of Swiss films for the segment, Masoud Amralla Al Ali, Festival Director for GFF, said:

"Switzerland is home to many fine films and Locarno, one of the most important and oldest film festivals in the world. Swtizerland is an established center of filmmaking and is well known for technical perfection. The selected films are examples of fine storytelling that will benefit the local and regional filmmaking community, treating audiences to quality cinema".

"Ash Brothers" by Steve Walker explores the relationship between two estranged brothers brought together by the death of their father; Andrew Katumba's "Room 24" is about discovering the true meaning of love and dealing with the heartbreak it brings along; "It Snows in Marrakech" by Hicham Al Hayat is a poignant tale of a young man committed to fulfilling his dying fathers last wish; Jadwiga Kowalska's "The World is Round" is about the explorations of an old man not convinced with the theory of earth being round; "'Le Printemps De Sant Ponc" by David Epiney and Eugenia Mymenthaler is an animated presentation of pre-occupations, spontaneity, and stories of people with special needs; "Dots and Lines" by Jesus Perez is about creation and the constant fight for survival and "Final Kick" by This Luscher depicts the frustrations of a man trying to fix his TV to watch the finals of the European football Championship.

"My Brother is Getting Married" a comedy feature by Jean-Stephane Bron depicts the harsh realities of family ties when a mother turns up at the wedding of her son to meet the family that adopted her child.

The inaugural edition of Gulf Film Festival is scheduled to take place between April 13 to 18 at the Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Center at Mall of Emirates.