The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) today announced the winners of its Dubai Film Connection (DFC), the co-production market held in conjunction with the festival. The awards of more than USD 100,000 represent three prizes from DIFF of USD 25,000, as well as other awards from international organisations including: the Film Clinic /DIFF Debut Feature […]
The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) today announced the winners of its Dubai Film Connection (DFC), the co-production market held in conjunction with the festival.
The awards of more than USD 100,000 represent three prizes from DIFF of USD 25,000, as well as other awards from international organisations including: the Film Clinic /DIFF Debut Feature Award of USD10,000; EUR 6,000 from ARTE to a filmmaker for exceptional originality, writing style and motivation; USD 10,000 for the Front Row / KNCC Award which is new for 2012;EUR5,000 from the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, presented to a film produced and directed in a Francophone Arab country; and accreditation for the prestigious Producers Network at the Cannes Film Festival in 2013 for 10 Arab producers participating at the DFC.
Shivani Pandya, DIFF Managing Director, said: Beyond the partnerships, mentoring and strategic planning that takes place at the DFC, the awards add additional support for filmmakers as they realise their projects in a highly competitive and at times difficult industry. The sole aim of DFC is to promote film production in the Arab world, and we are proud of our success rate. We wish all of our participants a productive and successful 2013.
The Dubai Film Connection was launched in 2007. Since then, 31 projects have been completed and a further 13 are in various stages of production. Recent successes include Wadjda by Haifaa Al Mansour; When I Saw You by Annemarie Jacir; and Fidai by Damien Ounouri.
