Reinforcing Dubai International Film Festivals (DIFF) commitment to regional grassroots projects, Gulf Voices films which will be screened this year comprises of four World Premieres and one GCC Premiere. A key component of DIFFs out-of-competition category, the selected Gulf Voices films originate from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Oman. Each film portrays the complexity, intricacy […]
Reinforcing Dubai International Film Festivals (DIFF) commitment to regional grassroots projects, Gulf Voices films which will be screened this year comprises of four World Premieres and one GCC Premiere.
A key component of DIFFs out-of-competition category, the selected Gulf Voices films originate from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Oman. Each film portrays the complexity, intricacy and changing face of the Gulf region.
DIFF Artistic Director, Masoud Amralla Al Ali commented, Offering some unique perspectives on the Arab world today, the emotive stories portrayed in the Gulf Voices film category will resonate with DIFF audiences. The talent and technique used to craft and develop these films is true testament to DIFFs successful impact on the evolution of the Gulf-wide film industry.
Heres a short glimpse of what Gulf Voices has to offer-
In a heart rendering story of survival and persistence, the feature film and GGC premiere of Aseel by Khalid Zidjali portrays the struggles of a 9 year old tribal boy striving to protect his heritage and village.
Iraqi filmmaker, Kamiran Betasi, will showcase the World Premiere of his complex and thought-provoking short film entitled Silhoutte which discovers the intrinsic link between life, hope and the pursuit of happiness.
In a riveting story of greed, deception and murder in American Business, the political thriller Factory of Lies spans the sands of Saudi Arabia to the streets of Chicago. The film, which will make its World Premiere at DIFF, is written and directed by Saudi Hamzah Jamjoom.
Independent Bahraini writer and director, Mohammed Rashed Buali, who has also been shortlisted for the IWC Schaffhausen Filmmaker Award, will present his film This is London. The film, which is an Enjaaz Shorts production, portrays a couples mission to capture a perfect shot of parental love to send to their son and previously won The Official Gulf Competition at GFF 2012.
Similar in theme, Saudi Arabias Nawaf Alhoshanis will present the World Premiere of Just a Picture at DIFF. The film explores the journey of discovery undertaken by three men searching for a picture-perfect desert photograph.
The final selection and the World Premiere of 48 Hours, by Haider Al-Kinani, narrates a story profiling the strength and resilience of the next generation of Iraqi graduates.
These six Gulf Voices submissions is a repository of the Gulf regions finest films. From heartfelt stories of hardship and sorrow, murder and deception, blended with remarkable inner-strength and hope, the selection of films will surely resonate with DIFF audiences.
