DIFF to screen 140 films from 51 countries

 

The 14^th Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has unveiled its lineup of films and events.

The festival, which runs  December 6 – 13, hosted at the Madinat Jumeirah, will screen a total of 140 films from 51 countries spanning feature, non-fiction and short films, including an 50 world and international premieres and 81 MENA premieres.

Among the highlights are the Muhr Awards. The DIFF 2017 selection comprises 59 biopics, comedies, dramas and love stories from the Arabian Peninsula, Levant and North Africa.

This year, DIFF’s Opening Night Gala on December 6 presents award-winning actor, writer and director, Scott Cooper’s Western masterpiece, ‘Hostiles’, starring Christian Bale, and Rosamund Pike. Set in 1892, ‘Hostiles’ tells the story of a legendary Army Captain (Christian Bale), who after stern resistance, reluctantly agrees to escort a dying Cheyenne war chief (Wes Studi) and his family back to tribal lands.

Closing the curtain will be, ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’. The latest instalment of the epic fantasy makes its return to DIFF with the next chapter in the Skywalker saga and will premiere on December 13, at the Madinat Jumeirah.

Abdulhamid Juma, Chairman of DIFF, said: “This year marks the 14^th edition of DIFF, and each year is as unique as the city of Dubai, because it is the lineup of films that defines the eight-day celebration of cinema.”

At its opening ceremony, DIFF will present three DIFF Honorary Awards, to celebrate those individuals’ significant achievements and contributions to the film industry. The first award will be presented to the illustrious Egyptian writer Wahid Hamed.  DIFF’s second Honorary Award goes to the legendary British actor Sir Patrick Stewart OBE, and the third award goes to the acclaimed Indian actor Irrfan Khan, a significant figure in Indian film and television since the early 1990s with a body of work of more than eighty films in India as well as his works in British films and Hollywood.

Masoud Amralla Al Ali, DIFF Artistic Director, said: “We are excited to welcome over 59 regional films to the festival this year, each making sure that voices from this part of the world are heard. ”

Running concurrently with DIFF, the Dubai Film Market (DFM) is a vital part of the festival and its co-production market The Dubai Film Connection celebrates its tenth edition with 13 projects in development competing for a wide array of awards including ART, Cinescape & Front Row Filmed Entertainment, The Hideaway Entertainment Award and Le Centre National de Cinema.

Throughout the week festival goers can choose from 28 industry-orientated talks, panel discussions, masterclasses and events featuring some of the biggest names in global cinema, sharing their insights, perspectives and experience with the Forum.

The programme includes ‘Women at the Helm’, presented in partnership with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The special panel will feature visionary, award-winning female directors including Kimberly Peirce, Haifaa Al Mansour, Niki Caro and Dee Rees. In addition, John Bailey, the newly elected President of AMPAS will share his experience on ‘The Art of Cinematography’.

Academy Award-nominated documentarian Morgan Spurlock heads to DIFF to host an insightful conversation about a risk-taking career of entertaining exposés that turn the camera on the director himself, and the making of his latest film ‘Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken’ which premieres at the festival.

Winning Two Primetime Emmys in a row is no small feat. Director and executive producer Michelle Maclaren has helmed dozens of episodes across critically acclaimed series including HBO’s “Game of Thrones”, “The Leftovers”, “Westworld”, “The Deuce” exclusively available on OSN in the region and AMC’s “Breaking Bad” and ‘’Better Call Saul’’. Known for her distinctive style and cinematic flair, join Maclaren for an intimate journey into her creative process from script to screen in the Forum, and find out what it’s like to produce and direct for the best of Primetime TV.

This year, to end the UK/UAE 2017 Year of Culture there will be a UK Spotlight at the Festival. This will include a costume design masterclass presented by BAFTA and Swarovski with BAFTA and Academy Award-winning designer Alexandra Byrne who has designed some of the most iconic screen costumes. Her filmography includes, ‘Elizabeth’ (1998), ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ (2004), ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ (2015) and most recently ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ (2017).

BAFTA will also present a special costume design exhibition in partnership with Swarovski at DIFF, from December 6-13 at the DIFF Headquarters.

The 14^th edition also sees Screen International’s talent-spotting initiative, ‘Arab Stars of Tomorrow’ return to DIFF. Promising Arab talent making waves on the festival circuit and international stage will be announced during the festival.

Shivani Pandya, DIFF Managing Director, said: “This year, we are presenting a UK Spotlight with the British Film Institute, BAFTA and British Council, to connect film professionals from the UK and the Arab world. ”

Located within the festival headquarters, the du VR Cinema will bring to life ten of the world’s most advanced VR films celebrating some of the most exciting VR and augmented reality work to date. Works from some of the leading creators and emerging voices in this new medium will unfold around you in 360 degrees at the du VR Cinema.

The Beach will host the premiere of renowned Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi’s latest acclaimed feature, ‘Beyond the Clouds’ that dwells on the adoration of love, life and human relationships starring theatre actress Malavika Mohanan and Ishaan Khatter.

On December 8, The Global Gift Gala will return to Dubai with the support of DIFF and UAE-based global philanthropic organisation, Dubai Cares, to host an exclusive gala dinner and high-end auction featuring one-of-a-kind prizes to raise funds for Dubai Cares and the Global Gift Foundation, the official charity Gala of the Festival.

International talent flying into Dubai this December includes: Sir Patrick Stewart, Irrfan Khan, Cate Blanchett, Sarah Jessica Parker, Vanessa Williams, Alesha Dixon, David Harbour, Tuba Büyüküstün, Olga Kurylenko, Morgan Spurlock, Michelle Maclaren, Shaun McBride, Tanner Fox, Alexandra Byrne, Warwick Thornton, Ewen Leslie, Dominic Cooke, Rob Reiner, Lynne Ramsay, Simon Curtis, Madison Iseman, Ser’Darius Blain, Sonam Kapoor, Claes Bang, Shabana Azmi, Luis Fonzi, John Bailey, Niki Caro, Kimberley Pierce and Dee Rees.