New vision at Gulf Film Festival

Three countries from the region that have contributed interesting works this year are Qatar, Oman and Yemen.

The films from Qatar show two very different facets not only of the country, but of one man: Hafiz Ali Ali, a filmmaker and actor. His Scents of Shadows, part of the Festival's 'Lights' segment covers the story of the establishment of Qatari cinema and how it has developed through the years.

Abdulla's second film, Gharanguoo Film, follows 9-year old Dana as she listens to her grandmother's fascinating tales of Gharanguoo night, the 14th of Ramadan. Wearing colourful costumes, children visit their relatives' homes to fill their bags with nuts and dried fruits. The film introduces children to this wonderful custom, and can be seen in the Films for Children segment.

From Oman, Raheel, by Jasim Albatashe, an entry in the festival's In Competition shorts segment, explores the quest for freedom and stability in life. Two short films from the student competition also originate from Oman: Dawood and Yasir Al Kiyumi's Discover Your Power, which shows how every individual has unique skills that can be uncovered using our inner power. Al-Motasim Al-Shaqsi's Al Qant takes a turn to the supernatural, when a group of children playing hide and seek hear strange voices coming from an abandoned house.

Yemen's contribution is The Loser Bet, by Yemen-based, Russian-trained director Fadhel Al-Olafii. The film, which will show in the 'Lights' programming segment, explores religious extremism in Yemen as a corrupting influence on young people in the country.

The Gulf Film Festival is brought to you by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), in association with Dubai Studio City.