Dubai International Film Festival named 'Best Festival'

The other finalists in the category included last year's winner, the jazz festival and Dubai Desert Rhythm.

DIFF Chairman Abdulhamid Juma stated: '2008 will be our fifth year--a milestone for us and for Dubai. What better way for us to begin our festival preparations with the honour of being selected the UAE's 'Best Festival'. We have always been motivated by our desire to give our discerning audiences the ultimate home-grown event they can be proud of, and so we are especially touched by the award.'

'In 2007, DIFF was named one of the Hottest Film Festivals in the world by USA Today newspaper and with this latest recognition; we can only aim to deliver a bigger and better 2008 edition.'

DIFF closed the curtains on another successful year in 2007 with significant increases in box office figures. The Festival hosted over 45,000 audience members, an increase of 35% over 2006, and a 20% increase in public attendance.

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 $3m 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.

The fifth edition of the Festival will take place between December 11-18, 2008.