Government departments express full support for Dubai Film Festival

From traffic routing to paramedic services, entry requirements to customs clearance, every aspect of the Festival was finalized, DIFF organizers said, thanks to the active participation of Dubai Civil Aviation, Dubai Ports and Customs, Dubai Police, Dubai Civil Defense, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Dubai Municipality, the Department of Health and Medical Services, Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Dubai Naturalization and Residency Department and the Ministry of Education.

"The support of the Dubai Government and federal government is invaluable," said Abdulhamid Juma, CEO of Dubai Media City. "We are all committed to making the Festival a safe, exciting and rewarding experience for all Festival visitors and for Dubai and the UAE, and working together helps us to accomplish all our goals."

Mohamed Kahoor, Director of the Festival's Government Relations and Festival Security team, said all the government departments have been very helpful in the three months since Festival preparations picked up speed.

"Everyone has certainly been going the extra mile," he said. "We want to provide the best possible experience to Dubai's guests and all other Festival-goers, from the minute visitors land at the airport."

Each of the departments has a contribution to make, he added, whether it is expediting the clearance of film prints and special equipment from overseas, ensuring safety and security, providing emergency and other health services, back-up generators, easing traffic flows or assisting visitors with tourist information. The Ministry of Education is overseeing student volunteers from the Zayed University and Higher Colleges of Technology.

"This is a lifetime experience for the students, especially with the exposure they will get to the international film industry," Kahoor said. "In addition, all the government representatives are also very excited because for them it is a chance to meet peers from a completely different field."

The Dubai International Film Festival will be held from December 6 and 11, 2004, and will feature approximately 75 films including features, retrospectives and short films. The Festival is divided into 10 distinct programs, each focusing on a particular Festival theme. DIFF is presented by Dubai Media City and its presenting sponsors are Dubai Duty Free, Emirates, Madinat Jumeirah Arabian Resort-Dubai, and Nakheel. DIFF Gold Sponsors are DOM International, The Kanoo Group and National Bank of Dubai, and Silver Sponsors are Arabian Radio Network, Atlas Telecom, Dubai Radio Network, E-Vision and Motivate Publishing.