Emirates Foundation supports blossoming UAE film industry at Gulf Film Festival

Each of the films was created by talented UAE film directors who received funding through the Foundation's Art Grants.

The screenings include short films such as: 'Al Musta'ar', directed by Manal Bin Amro; 'Door' directed by Waleed Al Shehhi; 'Butterfly Kiss', directed by Nayla Al Khaja; 'Young Sadness', by Hani Al Shaibani; 'Night' by Abdullah Al Ramsi; 'Paradise Night' by Juma Al Sahli; and feature-length films, 'The Circle', directed by Nawaf Al Janahi and 'Ras Harba' by Fadhel Al Muhairi.

The films investigate themes such as life, illness, war, moral and religious issues as well as identity and personal growth and development. The Gulf Film Festival is an annual, non-profit event that aims to showcase the best cinema in the region. The presence of eight films in the festival this year, made possible through support from the Emirates Foundation, is a considerable achievement, not only for the film makers themselves, but also for the Foundation.

Peter Cleaves, CEO of the Emirates Foundation, said:

"We are really pleased to be supporting such a large number of films in this year's Gulf Film Festival."

"The films were selected for arts grants through our formal and rigorous selection process. Though the eight films investigate such varied subject matter, we are pleased with the quality of the films and the talent and creativity of the individual film makers," he added.