META Film Festival – a new international film festival will be held in Dubai from October 27-29 at the Vox Cinemas at Nakheel Mall in Palm Jumeirah. The Festival Organisers GM Events and Festival Partners Vox Cinemas announced a three-day global festival including international blockbusters, premieres, regional feature films, red carpets with stars and talent […]
META Film Festival – a new international film festival will be held in Dubai from October 27-29 at the Vox Cinemas at Nakheel Mall in Palm Jumeirah.
The Festival Organisers GM Events and Festival Partners Vox Cinemas announced a three-day global festival including international blockbusters, premieres, regional feature films, red carpets with stars and talent from the Arab World, Hollywood, Bollywood, Nollywood and celebrity meet-and-greet, the launch of a Film Fund, awards and content markets.
Filmmakers may submit their content for inclusion in the screening schedule and the Awards programme.
“META Film Festival will re-energise the film and entertainment industry in the Middle East and Africa as we also plan to support the development of creative films through a Film Fund,” Leila Masinaei, Festival Direction and Managing Partner of Great Minds Event Management stated at a packed press conference held at the Nakheel Mall.
“The festival will spearhead the growth of the film industry in the Middle East and Africa – by attracting global talent, celebrities and movie buffs to Dubai. It will also bring the best of Arabic, Hollywood, Bollywood, European, Asian and African films and movie stars under one roof. The film festival will just add to the many reasons why stars and talents visit Dubai.”
A key element of the announcement was the launch of a film fund. Masinaei stated that a film fund will help “finance two pre-production content ideas submitted by regional talent – one full feature film idea and one documentary idea that will be chosen for production, and will be subsequently screened at the festival’s future editions”.
“These films will be supported through marketing and worldwide distribution. This feature is dedicated to discovering Arab talent and contributing to the production of world-class Arabic content,” she added.
The festival will conclude with a closing party and awards ceremony on the 29th of October, which will recognise and award the best films at the festival.
Select movies and the live-action surrounding the shows in Dubai will simultaneously be screened in seven different countries, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Egypt, and Lebanon, making it first of its kind in the world to expand the exposure of the films to even a wider audience.
Toni El Massih, Managing Director, Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas, said: “As a long-standing supporter of the regional film industry, VOX Cinemas is proud to be a festival partner of the inaugural META Film Festival. Events such as this as are essential to develop, promote and celebrate the cinema sector, particularly as the region becomes an increasingly important market to the global box office. Filmmakers, industry professionals and movie lovers can expect a diverse line-up of premieres, screenings and other cinematic events over the course of three days.”
“META Film Festival will also establish a film fund, which will enable the two emerging filmmakers to bring their scripts to screen. Nurturing the next wave of talent and providing a platform for their creative voices is key to building a thriving and sustainable film industry.”
A selection committee will help pick the best movies for screening and by the end of August, the organisers will confirm the celebrities who will attend the festival.
META Film Market will include awards for Best English Film, Best Arabic Film, Best South-East Asian Film, Best African Film, Best Animation Film, Best Documentary Film, Best Asian Film, Best Short Film as well as Writer’s Room, Fiction Film, and Documentary Film funds.
