Four GFF films screened at Horcynus Festival 2008

The films included Belooh and Realism Beats (Oman), Bint Mariam (UAE), Absence and Dinner (Bahrain). Of which Bint Maraim coveted the award for Best Picture.

Bint Mariam, by UAE-based director Saeed Salmeen Al Murry, was the recipient of the second prize at GFF along with a certificate of appreciation for its leading lady Nevin Madhi.

The film highlights the sufferings of a girl in her search for happiness.

A Dinner by Hussain Al Riffaei explores the taboo subject of adultery in a Muslim state.

Realism Beats by Dawood AlKiyumi and Belooh (Hopscotch) by Amer Al Rawas will serve as Oman's contribution to the Italian event.

Held at Messina in Italy, it was the second international film festival to showcase GFF films and came close on the heels of the Nabeul Cinema Nights in Tunisia that screened eight of the films premiered at GFF.

The UAE has also been invited as the guest country for the 2009 edition of the Horcynus Festival.

Masoud Amralla Al Ali, Festival Director of Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), said:

"It is an honor for the UAE to be selected as the guest country for next year's festival. It is a testament to the level of growth and exposure that our film industry has achieved through platforms such as the Gulf Film Festival and Dubai International Film Festival."

Irfan Rasheed, Director of the Horcynus Festival, said: "Choosing the UAE and its cinema comes in line with our aim to celebrate the excellence of Arab cinema. Our experience at the Dubai International Film Festival and the Gulf Film Festival provided us with rich perspectives of the range of cinematic milestones achieved by young Emiratis.

"The exposure provided to aspiring filmmakers by DIFF and GFF is highly commendable. Both events serve as important tools in building and developing the industry experience of emerging talent."

Masoud Amralla Al Ali came in for special praise from Rasheed for his central role in the development of the two festivals, in addition to his contribution to the Abu Dhabi-based Emirates Film Competition.

He added: "As Artistic Director of DIFF and GFF, and as the creative brain behind the Emirates Film Competition, Al Ali helped unleash the country's cinematic potential and build a significant film library through the publications he supervised."

Organized by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, the Gulf Film Festival is an annual event and the first of its kind initiative in the GCC, providing a platform to promote regional filmmaking while positioning Dubai as the epicentre for fostering cinematic talent.

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 to be held from 11 - 18 December 2008, promises to continue premiering films of excellence and host innovative events celebrating the magic of cinema.