DUBAI/JEDDAH — The ninth Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) on Monday revealed an exciting lineup of 161 feature films, shorts and documentaries from around the world, cementing DIFF's reputation as the leading festival of its kind in the region. DIFF is held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai. DIFF embarks on eight days of the very best of film, industry and red-carpet events and star-gazing. Academy Award winner Ang Lee's long-awaited 3D adaptation of the hugely popular “Life of Pi,” based on Yann Martel's Booker Prize-winning novel, opens the festival on Dec. 9. This year's DIFF promises to offer something for everyone, with a selection of diverse films, from sneak previews of big-budget Hollywood films to independent films that are breaking new ground, films from first-time filmmakers through to the greatest directors of all time. From Dec. 9-16, the festival's nightly red-carpet gala screenings will see the Arabian premieres of the critically acclaimed film “Bekas” by Karzan Kadar and the culturally groundbreaking “Wadjda” by Haiffa Al Mansour. The Cinema of the World galas include some of the most anticipated films of the year including “Hitchcock,” starring Academy Award winners Antony Hopkins and Helen Mirren; the 3D adventure “Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away”; Michael Haneke's Palme d'Or masterpiece “Amour”; and the triumphant true story “The Sapphires,” which will close the Festival. The Gala premiere representing the AsiaAfrica Program is the World War II epic “Back to 1942” from Feng Xiaogang. DIFF's afternoon gala for younger film fans is the World Premiere of the magical adventure “Journey to the Christmas Star.” Abdulhamid Juma, DIFF Chairman, said: “Over the last nine years, DIFF has become a festival renowned not only in the UAE and the Arab world, but across the globe. This year I truly feel we are presenting one of our strongest lineups ever, bringing together filmmakers and fans to watch a remarkable variety of films from around the world, many of which they are unlikely to see anywhere else. This year half of our festival is dedicated to an exciting showcase of films, features and shorts from the Arab world. “DIFF is a homegrown brand, deeply rooted in the UAE and we take great pride in our Arab heritage while continuously striding to strengthen intercultural dialogue. I can guarantee that the diversity and uniqueness this year's festival lineup will provide unforgettable viewing experiences, and truly resonate with the multi-cultural community of Dubai.” DIFF will present its Lifetime Achievement Awards to veteran Egyptian actor Mahmoud Abdul Aziz and prolific British director Michael Apted, who have both made commendable contributions to the world of cinema and inspired countless of people through their body of work. International celebrities flying into Dubai this December include Academy Award winners Cate Blanchett and Colin Firth, Livia Firth, Frieda Pinto, Rooney Mara, Kirsten Davis, Amr Waked, Bryan Ferry, Suraj Sharma, Steve Oram, Cuba Gooding Jr., Jessica Mauboy, Shravanthi Sainath, Adil Hussain and Erica Linz. A-list Arab celebrities gracing the red-carpet include: Laila Eloui, Nelly, Khaled El Nabawy, Ezzat Abu Ouf, Salah El Sadany, Hassan Hosny, Ghassan Masoud, Hany Ramzy, Mohamed Saad, Ahmed Rateb, Ghada Adel, Ragaa Al Gedawy, Sherine Adel, Maxime Khalil, Yosra Ellozy, Amir Karara, Sirine Abdel Nour, Nermine El Fikky, Caroline Khalil, Magdy El Hawary, Samer Ismael, Mehyar Khadour and Mounzer Rayhana. Stars flocking to DIFF from the GCC include: Haya Abdulsalam, Jushoon, Ibrahim Al Habri, Souad Ali, Abdul Mohsen El Nemer, Salah Al-Mulla, Habib Ghuloom, Jaber Nagmoush, Abdulla Boushiri, Shimaa Ali, Zahra Arafat, Fatima Abdulrahim, Abdul Aziz Jassim, Mansour Al Feli, Mahmoud Bou Shahri, Fatma Alsafi, Yacoub Alsalili, Basem Abdulamir, Ahmad Al Braiky, Hamad Al Omani, Asmahan, Jamal Al Radhan, Yacoub Abdalla, Somoud, Abeer Al Jundi, Faisal Alamery, Aseel Omran, Buthaina Al Raisi, Reem Arahma, and Haifa Hussein. Audiences will also have the unique opportunity to meet established filmmakers along with exciting new talent including: Wayne Blair, Khairy Beshara, Abdulatif Abdulhamid, Nour Eddine Lakhmari, Haiffa Al Masour, Stephan Archinard, Brian A. Miller, Brillante Mendoza, Saul Williams, Andrew Adamson, Aron Warner, Feng Xiaogang, Takashi Miike, Nishtha Jain and Mostofa Sarwar Farooki. The prestigious Muhr Awards have gone from strength to strength and this year will showcase a record number of films — an impressive 83 films will compete for over US$575, 000 in prize money across three categories: Muhr Emirati, Muhr Arab and Muhr AsiaAfrica. The lineup this year was selected from 2,100 submissions from 115 countries and is considered to the most remarkable, competitive and diverse selection to date. Arabic features will also be eligible for a variety of prestigious global awards including the FIPRESCI International Prize of the Critics Award. “The scope and variety of the films at DIFF this year from the Arab world is staggering. A broad sweep of genres, stories, and subject matter shows the diversity of the region and the maturity of its cinema. Many of our entries are return visitors to DIFF, either in the Muhr Arab or Arabian Nights categories, and we pride ourselves on being able to nurture regional filmmaking by providing a platform for them to present their stories to the world,” said Masoud Amralla Al Ali, DIFF's Artistic Director. Throughout the week festival-goers can attend a wide range of workshops and panels. Highlights include The Broadcasters Day, Documentary Day and In Conversation events with established and up and coming filmmakers, industry professionals and leading journalists. There are also networking sessions for serious industry business, offering total script-to-screen support for emerging filmmakers, including talent development, co-production, post-production support and trade platform. The DIFF box office will open online on Nov. 27, Tuesday, at www.dubaifilmfest.com. Additional information is also available through the Festival's dedicated customer care number, 363 FILM (3456). — SG
