The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) announced this week that they will cancel the 2018 edition of the festival, and will be adopting a new strategy to support the growth and evolution of the film and content industries in the region.
Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF)
NAME OF FESTIVAL: Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF)
SINCE: 2004
WHERE: Dubai, UAE
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Since its inception in 2004, the festival has served as an influential platform for Arab filmmakers and talent at an international level, by spearheading the cinema movement in the region. Each year DIFF presents new and exciting cinema from the Arab world and beyond introducing audiences to fresh new talent and original, intelligent and distinctive filmmaking.
Layla Kaylif Wins IWC Filmmaker Award for THE LETTER WRITER
Layla Kaylif won the 4th IWC Filmmaker Award at the 12th Dubai International Film Festival for her film “The Letter Writer”. This year, three filmmakers were shortlisted for the award: Qatari director Khalifa Al Muraikhi for his project “Sahaab”, Saudi director Shahad Ameen for her feature “Scales” and Emirati director Layla Kaylif for “The Letter Writer”. Layla Kaylif was presented with the USD 100,000 prize, and she also received an IWC timepiece. Aspiring Emirati director […]
Actor Sami Bouajila to Receive Arab Lifetime Achievement Award at 2015 Dubai International Film Festival
Sami Bouajila, the award-winning French-Tunisian actor, will be the recipient of this year’s prestigious Arab Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2015 Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF). Bouajila is an internationally acclaimed actor whose impressive filmography spans three decades and boasts an incredible forty titles. The actor is set to receive the accolade amongst the Arab and international film community at the 12th edition of DIFF, taking place December 9 to 16, 2015. Sami Bouajila is […]
11 More Films Added to 2015 Dubai International Film Festival ‘Cinema of The World’ Program Lineup
The 2015 Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) revealed 11 additional films set to appear in its ‘Cinema of The World’ program. The first new addition to the lineup is the suspenseful and dramatic award-winning film ‘The Clan’, by Argentinian director Pablo Trapero (pictured above), which won the ‘Silver Lion’ award at the 2015 Venice Film Festival. Based on the true story of the Puccio family, ‘The Clan’ follows the disturbing story of a sinister 1970s family whose […]
‘Dheepan’ ‘Youth’ ‘The Assassin’ Among Films on 2015 Dubai International Film Festival Cinema of The World Program
The Cinema of The World program at the upcoming 2015 Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), scheduled to take place between the December 9th and 16th, 2015 will welcome forty five of the world’s latest films to its screens. The first in a series of announcements includes, ‘Dheepan’ (pictured above) a powerful drama by director Jacques Audiard that follows a former Tamil Tiger soldier’s struggle as he fights to begin life anew away from the hardships […]
3 Filmmakers Nominated For 2015 IWC Filmmaker Award at 12th Dubai International Film Festival
Three talented directors have made the shortlist for the prestigious IWC Filmmaker Award at the 12th Dubai International Film Festival taking place from December 9 to 16, 2015, with the winner receiving a cash prize of USD 100,000. The IWC Filmmaker Award supports filmmakers from the Gulf in taking their project from script to the big screen. The nominees for the highly-coveted 2015 IWC Filmmaker Award are: Qatari director Khalifa Al Muraikhi, for his project […]
2015 Dubai International Film Festival Announces First Selection of Short Films in Muhr Competition
The 2015 Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) Muhr Short Category will premiere 15 short films from the region’s best and brightest directors. The entrants that will be battling it out for this year’s prestigious ‘Muhr Awards’ include; the highly acclaimed animated short film ‘Waves ’98’ directed by Lebanese Ely Dagher, (pictured above) which won the Palme d’Or for Short Film at Cannes Film Festival earlier this year. The film explores the filmmaker’s current relationship with his […]
Abdullah Boushahri’s “The Water” Wins IWC Filmmaker Award at Dubai International Film Festival
IWC Ambassador Marc Forster, Award winner Abdullah Al Boushahri and IWC Ambassador Emily Blunt during the IWC Filmmaker Award Night 2014
Golden Globe Winner and IWC Schaffhausen brand ambassador Emily Blunt presented the IWC Filmmaker Award to Abdullah Boushahri for his film “The Water”. For the third consecutive year, Swiss luxury watch manufacturer IWC, ‘Official Sponsor’ and ‘Festival-Time’ Partner of the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), collaborated with the Festival to recognize one talented filmmaker from the region with the esteemed award.
Stephen Hawking Biopic ‘The Theory of Everything’ to Open 11th Dubai International Film Festival
The Theory of Everything
The 11th Dubai International Film Festival will open on 10th December with ‘The Theory of Everything’ – the Stephen Hawking biopic from Academy Award winning director James Marsh. Starring Eddie Redmayne as the renowned astrophysicist and Felicity Jones as his love, fellow student Jane Wilde, the extraordinary story follows the life of one of the world’s greatest living minds. The humorous and heartfelt musical ‘Into the Woods’ an international premiere will close the 11th edition of the Festival. Featuring an all star cast including Emily Blunt, Meryl Streep, Johnny Depp, Anna Kendrick and Chris Pine, the film blends classic stories from Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk and Rapunzel. ‘Into the Woods’ is directed by acclaimed director Rob Marshall.
Emily Blunt to join jury for IWC Filmmaker Award at 2014 Dubai International Film Festival
Golden Globe winner Emily Blunt will be joining the jury for the third annual IWC Filmmaker Award at the 11th Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF). The IWC Filmmaker Award, launched in 2012 as a collaboration between IWC Schaffhausen and DIFF, offers a cash prize of USD 100,000 to help a talented filmmaker from the Middle East transfer his or her vision from script to screen. The award will be presented to the winning filmmaker at a star-studded gala on 11 December 2014
AMERICAN HUSTLE Starring Christian Bale to Close 2013 Dubai International Film Festival | TRAILER
David O Russell’s “AMERICAN HUSTLE” has been selected for the Closing Night film of the 10th edition of the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), which runs from December 6th to 14th, 2013. “American Hustle” stars Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Louis CK and Robert De Niro.
‘FRUITVALE STATION’ ‘THE RAILWAY MAN’ Among Int’l Films on Lineup for 2013 Dubai International Film Festival
THE RAILWAY MAN starring Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman
The 10th edition of the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) which takes place from the December 6th to 14th, 2013, unveiled the line-up of international films in the Cinema of the World section. Films on the lineup include award-winning indie film FRUITVALE STATION; THE RAILWAY MAN starring Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman; Polish Oscar contender WALESA. MAN OF HOPE; Georgia Oscar contender IN BLOOM; documentary THE UNKNOWN KNOWN; Italian film THE REFEREE, and Slovenian film CLASS ENEMY.