Sony Broadcast & Professional ME teams up with UAE director to make 'Cigarettes'

The project has taken over 6 months to put together and the first preview screening took place yesterday evening at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry to an excited audience.

Mohamed Al Traifi the film's Director is a prime example of the challenges and profiles of the UAE film industry members today, working as an advertising copywriter with a leading Agency by day and pursuing his primary interest and passion by night.

"It can be tough," says Mohammed Al Traifi. "I enjoy meeting the challenges of my work during the day but it doesn't end there. I am also constantly striving to fulfill my personal ambitions by trying to find support, financing, equipment and personnel, to realize ideas and concepts that I want to bring to the screen!"

Mohammed has been fortunate in this instance taking advantage of the support, training and expertise that Sony B&P ME has been extending to the UAE Film industry. This has involved utilizing Sony's state of the art HD equipment, experienced personnel and access to a global organization with the ability to draw on many aspects of the cinema and entertainment industry, which strongly believes in helping & promoting a growing local UAE talent.

Peter Davies one of the leading UAE based DOP's and Atlas Television providers of highly experienced cameramen and sound experts who work all over the globe for all the major news and television networks have also given their support and direction to Al Traifi's new film.

Al Traifi is especially grateful to his colleagues in the Emirates Film Competition and some of the leading figures in the UAE Television and Theatre scene who are acting in this film as well as a renowned make-up artist, award winning national costume designer - Umm Dhabi and other young talented individuals who worked hard behind the scenes and who have volunteered their time to make this project a success.

"It's great that we at Sony Broadcast & Professional ME can support young national talent in film production projects such as this. Members of the Emirates Film Competition with guidance & input from Masoud Amralla, have been and are still approaching us with their scripts to evaluate," said Dave Castle from Sony B&P ME Business. "This is a great way of giving back to the community and for being part of it too! Seeing young national film producers who are really keen to improve their skills and expertise in the area of film production is a great stimulus for both creativity and the film industry in the region as a whole."

The film, designed to deal with some of the social issues of the day is not the first project for Mohammed who has competed with his films both regionally and internationally. Nonetheless, Mohammed remains humble and insists that his goal is to focus attention on the UAE's growing film talent. There are many great producers, directors and writers out there who have a great deal to contribute in putting the UAE on the cinematic map if they are given the backing and support of private and public bodies across the country.

"Over the last few months, we have accomplished a great deal with the physical help & moral backing that we have received from Sony B&P ME, Atlas TV, Filmworks and May International Events," added Mohammed AlTraifi. "Can you imagine where we can go if this effort is multiplied by 10 or 100 or even a 1000!?"

The fact that people from the UAE Film community are still optimistic and positive is a testament to their efforts!