Saturday, December 11, 2010

Over 220 films participate in DIFF’s Dubai Filmmart for global

Dubai, UAE; December 11, 2010: The Dubai Filmmart, the trading and distribution platform of the

Dubai International Film Festival’s comprehensive Dubai Film Market, has secured a record showcase

of over 220 films from around the world for its 2010 edition.



Industry buyers at DIFF will have one of the strongest repertoires of films to choose from including

103 films screened at DIFF, 43 films from the Gulf Film Festival, and 78 Filmmart-recommended films.

The line-up includes 23 world premieres, 6 international Premieres, 37 Middle East premieres, and 21

GCC premieres.



Ziad Yaghi, Director, Dubai Filmmart, said the trading and distribution platform has grown

considerably over the past years by successfully accomplishing distribution deals for films from

the Arab world to the wider international markets and vice versa. “Dubai Film Market is arguably

the largest of its kind industry event in the Arab world, Asia and Africa, showing the most versatile

collection of movies. We have serious buyers from across the world, opening doors for producers to

new and untapped markets. This is particularly relevant for Arab films, as they stand to gain a new

foothold internationally.”



“Driving forward its objectives of maximising producer-distributor interaction, the Dubai Filmmart

unites industry executives from all backgrounds and origins, to trade and distribute film content

globally,” he added.



The selection of films from DIFF available for acquisition this year include Mohamed Diab’s 678,

Hesham Issawi’s El Khoroug (Cairo Exit), Zeina Sfeir’s Beirut Al Mouss (All About My Father), Abdulla

Al Kaabi’s The Philosopher, Feng Xiaogang’s Tang Shan Da Di Zheng (Aftershock), Ahmad Abdalla’s

Microphone, George Hachem’s Rsassa Taycheh (Stray Bullet), Daniel Rudi Haryanto’s Prison and

Paradise, Mahmoud Al Massad’s This is my picture when I was dead, among others.



Films from the Gulf Film Festival 2009 include Ashraf Ghori’s Levity – Xero Error Minus 1, Soniya

Kriplani’s DoBuy – The Fabric of Faith, Bader Al-Hamoud’s Dark, Fadel Al Muhairi’s Night Guard, and

Hussein Abbas El Hulaybi’s Longing among others.



The Filmmart’s recommendations include Houaida Azar’s Beirut Express, Chloe Mazlo’s Deyrouth,

Sahera Dirbas’ Jerusalem Bride, Roy Khalil’s Kil El Assafir Bit Sawfir (All Birds Whistle), Ibrahim El

Batout’s Hawi, and critically acclaimed Pink Sari by Kim Longinotto.



The films will be available at potential buyers’ fingertips via state-of-the-art-touch-screens, designed

with sophisticated software which includes direct links to sales agents, at The Cinetech, the

Filmmart’s digital video library, designed to assist buyers, distributors, and broadcasters with the

screening process.



Last year, over 3,100 screenings were made for industry buyers at the Dubai Filmmart. The most-

viewed films were Ali Mostafa’s City of Life, Michel Khleifi’s Zindeeq, and A Prophet by Jacques

Audiard.



Through matchmaking sessions that connect prospective buyers with sellers, and consultancy

services for Market delegates, the Dubai Film Market Private Meeting Lounge serves as a key

networking venue during the Festival, attracting regional and international industry professionals.



The seventh edition of Dubai International Film Festival 2010 will be held from December 12 to 19.

DIFF 2010 is held in association with Dubai Studio City. Dubai Duty Free, Dubai International Financial

Centre, Dubai Pearl, Emirates Airline and Madinat Jumeirah are the principal sponsors of DIFF. The

Festival is supported by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority. Accreditation for DIFF 2010 is now open

at www.dubaifilmfest.com.



DIFF 2010 box office locations are: CineStar Mall of the Emirates, the Madinat Souk, the CNN Building

in Dubai Media City and The Walk at JBR. Tickets can also be purchased through DIFF’s Dial-a-Ticket

service at (04) 391 3378 and from the website, www.dubaifilmfest.com.



For more and updated information about DIFF, please visit http://www.dubaifilmfest.com/

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