Gulf Film Festival propels student filmmakers into spotlight

Masoud Amralla al Ali, Festival Director for GFF, said, "We expanded the competition segment to include dedicated programming for students, because the films we received are so sophisticated in story telling. They really showed the beginnings of seasoned professionals. The films that we received were not merely films from students, but rather fully developed works that were pushing to be recognized."

6 of the 15 entries to the shorts segment are from Emirati filmmakers in addition to 3 from KSA, 2 from Oman and Iraq and 1 each from Kuwait and Bahrain. The documentaries segment is well represented by students from Iraq (6) and the UAE (3).

Several of the short films deal with innocence, struggle, violence and change.

Films from the UAE include Rawia Abdullah's "Before I Grow Up" explores the constant curiosity and thirst for answers of a growing mind; "The Mandoobs" from Rashid Al Marri addresses the never ending war between good and bad motivated by personal gains; Al Anoud El Jeniedi's "Like my Daddy" depicts the sufferings of a child growing up with an abusive father; "The Sea Hides" by Hamad Abdulla Saghran revolves around the wait for life's everyday requirements and "End of a Victim" by Hafsa al Muttawwa and Adel Jaberi is a social drama about a teenager infected with AIDS, capturing his struggles and trials and his unfortunate death due to the unaccepting society.

Films from GCC include "Remains of a Wound" by Bahraini Mohammed Ebrahim Mohammed depicts the fight against suffering; "Farewell my Angel" from Kuwait's Abdulrahman Al Khamis deals with poignant issues of death and acceptance in a cruel world; Saudi director Bader al Homoud's "White and White" analyses the reaction of society towards split personalities, whereas "Scabbardless" deals with fear and trauma of being caught for a past crime; "Moon Whisperer" from Saudi director Abdulla Al Ahmed focuses on ways to overcome emptiness and loneliness; "Realism Beats" by Omani filmmakers Dawood Al Kiyumi and Yasir Al Kiyumi delves into the surreal world that exists around us and Oman's "Memory Cannot Be Forgotten" by Ruqaya Salim Ali Al-Widahy depicts the sufferings of a fertile village devoid of rains for 5 years turning it into a barren waste land deprived of life and spirit.

Iraqi Mustafa Hadi Hamzah's "Perforated Helmet" depicts the trials and tribulations of a child who loses his father in the war and "Personal Calendar" by Basheer al Majid delves into the internal political crisis of Iraq

In-Competition documentaries by Iraqi students include "Staying" by Mounaf Shaker, which revolves around the stress and pressure families go through in present day Iraq,; Hiba Bassem's "Thinking of Leaving" depicts the confused and shifting mindsets of people forced to live in the war ravaged city with constant fear of death and uncertainty; "Leaving" directed by Bahram Al Zuhairi documents the painful process of a family's relocation to their new home in a foreign land; "Dr.Nabil" by Ahmad Jabbar explores the varied emotions and dilemmas of a doctor committed to his nation and profession; "Stranger in his own country" by Hassanain Al Hani narrates the story of a displaced family head trying to survive and provide for his family in difficult times; and "A candle for the Shabandar café" by Emad Ali is an autobiographical account of the ruins of Iraq's cultural and literary history in the wake of fresh attacks.

The three UAE films in the documentary segment include "Men from the Origin" by Mohammed Al Jassim, capturing on camera the essence of the historic Al Ras area in Dubai that was once considered the main lifeline for Dubai's evolving economy; Nawar Al Shamsi's "Access Denied" discusses the issue of censorship in the UAE and Asma Ahmad's "Mission of Hope" looks into the life of drug addicts who have served a prison sentence and their relationship with society.

The Festival will take place from April 13 to 18 at Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Center at Mall of Emirates.