The Arab Cinema Center (Acc) announced that the Arab Cinema Personality of The Year award, presented by The Hollywood Reporter, is awarded to Screenwriter and Producer Mohamed Hefzy. Hefzywill receive his award during this year’s Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale), where the Acc is also celebrating its five year anniversary.
In 2018, Mohamed Hefzy was appointed as the President of the 40th Cairo International Film Festival(Ciff), becoming the youngest to ever be appointed for this post. He was also selected as a jury member of the Horizons (Orizzonti) section at the 75th Venice International Film Festival. Hefzy produces films that receives critical and audience acclaim, such as Yomeddine, which world premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and was Egypt’s official submission to the Academy Award for Best Foreign-Language Film.
The film marked the third time in a row that a film produced by Hefzy gets submitted to the...
In 2018, Mohamed Hefzy was appointed as the President of the 40th Cairo International Film Festival(Ciff), becoming the youngest to ever be appointed for this post. He was also selected as a jury member of the Horizons (Orizzonti) section at the 75th Venice International Film Festival. Hefzy produces films that receives critical and audience acclaim, such as Yomeddine, which world premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and was Egypt’s official submission to the Academy Award for Best Foreign-Language Film.
The film marked the third time in a row that a film produced by Hefzy gets submitted to the...
- 2/18/2019
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
What I like about the international film festivals and markets are the comparable and contrasting cultural windows that are opened wide to let in all the world to see what is inside. Countries, as people, have their ups and their downs. This year the most interesting window was on Mena, that is, the Middle East and North Africa regions.
The Diff Journal lists the five most notable milestones for Arab cinema at Cannes this year:
First Arab female filmmaker to ever compete for the Palme d’or
Lebanese director Nadine Labaki became the first ever female Arab filmmaker to compete for the Palme d’or with a film in competition. Previously, all Arab films selected in competition at Cannes were by male directors from countries such as Lebanon, Egypt, Morocco and Algeria. With Capharnaum, Labaki has already made history. She’s also the first Lebanese director to have a film...
The Diff Journal lists the five most notable milestones for Arab cinema at Cannes this year:
First Arab female filmmaker to ever compete for the Palme d’or
Lebanese director Nadine Labaki became the first ever female Arab filmmaker to compete for the Palme d’or with a film in competition. Previously, all Arab films selected in competition at Cannes were by male directors from countries such as Lebanon, Egypt, Morocco and Algeria. With Capharnaum, Labaki has already made history. She’s also the first Lebanese director to have a film...
- 6/2/2018
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
In an unexpected shakeup, the Dubai International Film Festival has canceled its upcoming edition and announced a “new strategy,” signaling that the fest as attendees knew it – during its 14-year rise to become the top film event in the Middle East – is over.
After days of swirling rumors and unanswered queries, a nebulous press release has been issued announcing “a new approach” and stating that the festival, which became prominent in the industry thanks to its annual Dubai Film Connection Arab film market component, will now take place every two years in a different format. The new shape is unclear, but it seems that the festival will be under new management.
The release quoted Jamal Al Sharif, chairman of the Dubai Film and TV Commission, as saying that they are “seeking to redefine” the Dubai fest’s “approach towards nurturing growth, creativity and talent.” Nowhere did the names of festival chairman Abdulhamid Juma,...
After days of swirling rumors and unanswered queries, a nebulous press release has been issued announcing “a new approach” and stating that the festival, which became prominent in the industry thanks to its annual Dubai Film Connection Arab film market component, will now take place every two years in a different format. The new shape is unclear, but it seems that the festival will be under new management.
The release quoted Jamal Al Sharif, chairman of the Dubai Film and TV Commission, as saying that they are “seeking to redefine” the Dubai fest’s “approach towards nurturing growth, creativity and talent.” Nowhere did the names of festival chairman Abdulhamid Juma,...
- 4/19/2018
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Festival was major event on Arab cinema calendar.
Update: The organisers of the Dubai International Film Festival (Diff) have now announced a one-year hiatus with the next edition now scheduled for 2019 as part of a major overhaul of the event. Full story Here.
Original story: The future of the United Arab Emirates’ Dubai International Film Festival (Diff) appears to be in question once again amid unconfirmed industry talk that key members of the team have not had their contracts renewed yet and that the event is set to be overhauled or perhaps even shut down.
None of the usually responsive...
Update: The organisers of the Dubai International Film Festival (Diff) have now announced a one-year hiatus with the next edition now scheduled for 2019 as part of a major overhaul of the event. Full story Here.
Original story: The future of the United Arab Emirates’ Dubai International Film Festival (Diff) appears to be in question once again amid unconfirmed industry talk that key members of the team have not had their contracts renewed yet and that the event is set to be overhauled or perhaps even shut down.
None of the usually responsive...
- 4/18/2018
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Festival was a major event on the Arab world cinema calendar.
The future of the United Arab Emirates’ Dubai International Film Festival (Diff) appears to be in question once again amid unconfirmed industry talk that key members of the team have not had their contracts renewed yet and that the event is set to be overhauled or perhaps even shut down.
None of the usually responsive key staff at the festival has acknowledged or replied to email and phone enquiries over the last 24 hours regarding the rumours but a switchboard operator at the Dubai Creative Clusters Authority (Dcca), the parent body for the festival,...
The future of the United Arab Emirates’ Dubai International Film Festival (Diff) appears to be in question once again amid unconfirmed industry talk that key members of the team have not had their contracts renewed yet and that the event is set to be overhauled or perhaps even shut down.
None of the usually responsive key staff at the festival has acknowledged or replied to email and phone enquiries over the last 24 hours regarding the rumours but a switchboard operator at the Dubai Creative Clusters Authority (Dcca), the parent body for the festival,...
- 4/18/2018
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
UAE filmmaker Abdullah Hassan Ahmed’s Sunrise scooped the $100,000 Iwc Filmmaker Award at Diff last night.
The script follows a father who receives tragic news about his son, fighting in a distant war, and is unsure how to break the news to his pregnant wife.
Khalid Al Mahmood will produce the project through UAE-based Faradees Production. The script has already received support from the UAE’s Ministry of Interior, which awarded it with the $100,000 Best Societal Screenplay prize at last year’s Diff.
Ahmed was presented with the Iwc Filmmaker Award at a ceremony at the One & Only Mirage in Dubai last night. Palestinian actor Ali Suliman headed the jury, which also included Iwc CEO Georges Kern, Diff artistic director Masoud Amralla Al Ali and Diff chairman Abdulhamid Juma.
The script follows a father who receives tragic news about his son, fighting in a distant war, and is unsure how to break the news to his pregnant wife.
Khalid Al Mahmood will produce the project through UAE-based Faradees Production. The script has already received support from the UAE’s Ministry of Interior, which awarded it with the $100,000 Best Societal Screenplay prize at last year’s Diff.
Ahmed was presented with the Iwc Filmmaker Award at a ceremony at the One & Only Mirage in Dubai last night. Palestinian actor Ali Suliman headed the jury, which also included Iwc CEO Georges Kern, Diff artistic director Masoud Amralla Al Ali and Diff chairman Abdulhamid Juma.
- 12/9/2016
- by [email protected] (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
The 13th edition of the Dubai International Film Festival (Diff) confirms the World Premiere of Aditya Chopra’s Befikre from Yash Raj Films, starring Vaani Kapoor and Ranveer Singh will be presented to Diff audiences at the Madinat Jumeriah, home of the international film festival.
The brand-new Hindi romantic comedy will be the red carpet gala of the Festival’s celebrations on Thursday, December 8, 2016.
Shot entirely in Paris, Befikre is a progressive, fresh interpretation of love as viewed in the 21st century.
Befikre, meaning ‘carefree’ in English is a free spirited, contemporary love story of Dharam (Ranveer Singh) and Shyra (Vaani Kapoor), who find love in an impulsive, engaging series of experiences. Doused in the spirit of Paris, it celebrates love and focuses on living to the fullest.
Abdulhamid Juma, Diff Chairman said, “The World Premiere of the eagerly anticipated Befikre from Yash Raj Films and directed by the incredibly...
The brand-new Hindi romantic comedy will be the red carpet gala of the Festival’s celebrations on Thursday, December 8, 2016.
Shot entirely in Paris, Befikre is a progressive, fresh interpretation of love as viewed in the 21st century.
Befikre, meaning ‘carefree’ in English is a free spirited, contemporary love story of Dharam (Ranveer Singh) and Shyra (Vaani Kapoor), who find love in an impulsive, engaging series of experiences. Doused in the spirit of Paris, it celebrates love and focuses on living to the fullest.
Abdulhamid Juma, Diff Chairman said, “The World Premiere of the eagerly anticipated Befikre from Yash Raj Films and directed by the incredibly...
- 11/16/2016
- by Press Releases
- Bollyspice
Cannes Film Festival and Institut Lumière chief to introduce the Gulf to work of cinema pioneers at Diff.
Double-hatted Cannes Film Festival chief Thierry Frémaux will be heading to the Dubai International Film Festival (Diff, Dec 7-14) this December to present Lumière! Inventing Cinema.
The 4K feature is a compilation of restored films made by cinema pioneers Auguste and Louis Lumière between 1895 and 1905.
Frémaux, who divides his time between running Cannes and the Institut Lumière in Lyon, devoted to the work of the Lumière brothers and film heritage in general, said he was excited to be bringing the work to Dubai:
“The showcase enables us to rediscover and celebrate Auguste and Louis Lumiére, a pair of filmmakers who are responsible for film as we know it, whose pioneering moving image snapshots of life at the end of the 19th century paved the way for the popularisation of the medium and its evolution into an art form.”
It...
Double-hatted Cannes Film Festival chief Thierry Frémaux will be heading to the Dubai International Film Festival (Diff, Dec 7-14) this December to present Lumière! Inventing Cinema.
The 4K feature is a compilation of restored films made by cinema pioneers Auguste and Louis Lumière between 1895 and 1905.
Frémaux, who divides his time between running Cannes and the Institut Lumière in Lyon, devoted to the work of the Lumière brothers and film heritage in general, said he was excited to be bringing the work to Dubai:
“The showcase enables us to rediscover and celebrate Auguste and Louis Lumiére, a pair of filmmakers who are responsible for film as we know it, whose pioneering moving image snapshots of life at the end of the 19th century paved the way for the popularisation of the medium and its evolution into an art form.”
It...
- 11/9/2016
- ScreenDaily
Dubai Film Festival initiative is aimed at private financiers looking to invest in the film industry.
The Dubai International Film Festival (Diff) will launch film finance initiative The Dubai Investors Club at its upcoming 13th edition, running December 7-14.
Aimed at individuals looking to invest in the film industry, Diff’s Dubai Film Market will host the bespoke event on December 8 and 9 at Madinat Jumeirah, the Arabian Resort of Dubai.
The programme will see up to 15 senior investors given the opportunity to network with global film experts in order to better understand international film investment.
Topics to be explored include film financing and distribution and risk mitigation strategies.
“The Dubai Investors Club is a unique opportunity for investors to understand the film industry and successful film financing, whilst also enjoying the film festival and the city of Dubai,” commented Abdulhamid Juma, Diff’s chairman.
The Dubai International Film Festival (Diff) will launch film finance initiative The Dubai Investors Club at its upcoming 13th edition, running December 7-14.
Aimed at individuals looking to invest in the film industry, Diff’s Dubai Film Market will host the bespoke event on December 8 and 9 at Madinat Jumeirah, the Arabian Resort of Dubai.
The programme will see up to 15 senior investors given the opportunity to network with global film experts in order to better understand international film investment.
Topics to be explored include film financing and distribution and risk mitigation strategies.
“The Dubai Investors Club is a unique opportunity for investors to understand the film industry and successful film financing, whilst also enjoying the film festival and the city of Dubai,” commented Abdulhamid Juma, Diff’s chairman.
- 10/20/2016
- by [email protected] (Ian Sandwell)
- ScreenDaily
Growth of virtual reality filmmaking to be discussed at Diff.
Dubai International Film Festival (Diff) (Dec 7-14) is set to launch a virtual reality programme at its 13th edition.
The strand, titled DIFFerent Reality, will give festivalgoers the opportunity to sample Vr films spanning fiction, documentary and animation.
On the industry side, Dubai Film Market (Dfm) will give delegates chance to hear from Vr creators and experience the technology.
Diff chairman Abdulhamid Juma said: “Vr gives filmmakers a new, immersive medium - which is an exciting new direction for cinema - and our compelling and engaging line-up of Vr films push the technological boundaries of storytelling.”
Vr has had an increased presence at festivals, most recently at Sundance, Cannes and Sheffield Doc/Fest with experiences based around feature films The Martian and Maleficent and standalone documentaries such as refugee film We Wait, from Aardman Animations and the BBC.
At the Star Wars Celebration fan gathering last wekeend...
Dubai International Film Festival (Diff) (Dec 7-14) is set to launch a virtual reality programme at its 13th edition.
The strand, titled DIFFerent Reality, will give festivalgoers the opportunity to sample Vr films spanning fiction, documentary and animation.
On the industry side, Dubai Film Market (Dfm) will give delegates chance to hear from Vr creators and experience the technology.
Diff chairman Abdulhamid Juma said: “Vr gives filmmakers a new, immersive medium - which is an exciting new direction for cinema - and our compelling and engaging line-up of Vr films push the technological boundaries of storytelling.”
Vr has had an increased presence at festivals, most recently at Sundance, Cannes and Sheffield Doc/Fest with experiences based around feature films The Martian and Maleficent and standalone documentaries such as refugee film We Wait, from Aardman Animations and the BBC.
At the Star Wars Celebration fan gathering last wekeend...
- 7/21/2016
- ScreenDaily
Layla Kaylif’s The Letter Writer was awarded the $100,000 Iwc Filmmaker Award at a ceremony at the One & Only Mirage in Dubai on Thursday night.
Kaylif received the award from actor Dev Patel. Palestinian filmmaker Hany Abu-Assad presided over a jury that also included Iwc Schaffhausen CEO Georges Kern, Tunisian actress Hend Sabry, Diff chairman Abdulhamid Juma and Diff artistic director Masoud Amralla Al Ali.
Set in 1960s Dubai, Kaylif’s project tells the story of a boy who writes letters for illiterate travellers. Alcove Entertainment’s Amina Dasmal and Robin Fox are on board as producers.
Kaylif received the award from actor Dev Patel. Palestinian filmmaker Hany Abu-Assad presided over a jury that also included Iwc Schaffhausen CEO Georges Kern, Tunisian actress Hend Sabry, Diff chairman Abdulhamid Juma and Diff artistic director Masoud Amralla Al Ali.
Set in 1960s Dubai, Kaylif’s project tells the story of a boy who writes letters for illiterate travellers. Alcove Entertainment’s Amina Dasmal and Robin Fox are on board as producers.
- 12/10/2015
- by [email protected] (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Dubai festival opens with Room and anti-extremist message.
The 12th edition of the Dubai International Film Festival kicked-off on Wednesday evening (Dec 9) on a defiantly anti-extremist note.
“We open Diff tonight amid stormy clouds and difficult times in a burning world of conflicting visions, reactionary ideologies and fear,” Diff chairman Abdulhamid Juma said in his opening remarks.
“In the name of cinema we gather to say no, no to all that is inhuman. Here in the United Arab Emirates we choose beauty and hope and resolve to fight extremism in all its shapes and forms. Long live cinema and let hope endure.”
His words follow a series of brutal terror attacks by extremists in Beirut, Paris, the Malian capital of Bamako and San Bernardino in California in the weeks before Diff.
Like the rest of the world, the UAE is also concerned about the rise of the so-called Islamic State (Isil) and other extremist groups in the...
The 12th edition of the Dubai International Film Festival kicked-off on Wednesday evening (Dec 9) on a defiantly anti-extremist note.
“We open Diff tonight amid stormy clouds and difficult times in a burning world of conflicting visions, reactionary ideologies and fear,” Diff chairman Abdulhamid Juma said in his opening remarks.
“In the name of cinema we gather to say no, no to all that is inhuman. Here in the United Arab Emirates we choose beauty and hope and resolve to fight extremism in all its shapes and forms. Long live cinema and let hope endure.”
His words follow a series of brutal terror attacks by extremists in Beirut, Paris, the Malian capital of Bamako and San Bernardino in California in the weeks before Diff.
Like the rest of the world, the UAE is also concerned about the rise of the so-called Islamic State (Isil) and other extremist groups in the...
- 12/10/2015
- ScreenDaily
Spotlight, Truth and Concussion are also among the festival’s programme.
Lenny Abrahamson’s Oscar-contender Room will open the 12th Dubai International Film Festival (Diff) this year, which will run December 9-16.
The film, an adaptation of Emma Donoghue’s novel, tells the story of a young mother and her 5-year-old son who are held captive in a small room. Lead actress Brie Larson has already received nominations at the Gotham Awards and yesterday’s Independent Spirits for her performance, and is a favourite for the Academy Awards next year.
The festival will be closed by Adam McKay’s The Big Short, which has an ensemble cast featuring Ryan Gosling, Steve Carell, Christian Bale and Brad Pitt, and recently premiered at Los Angeles’ AFI Fest (Nov 5-12).
Other films screening include: Tom McCarthy’s Spotlight; James Vanderbilt’s Truth; Peter Landesman’s Concussion; Nicholas Hytner’s The Lady In The Van; and Hany Abu-Assad’s The Idol...
Lenny Abrahamson’s Oscar-contender Room will open the 12th Dubai International Film Festival (Diff) this year, which will run December 9-16.
The film, an adaptation of Emma Donoghue’s novel, tells the story of a young mother and her 5-year-old son who are held captive in a small room. Lead actress Brie Larson has already received nominations at the Gotham Awards and yesterday’s Independent Spirits for her performance, and is a favourite for the Academy Awards next year.
The festival will be closed by Adam McKay’s The Big Short, which has an ensemble cast featuring Ryan Gosling, Steve Carell, Christian Bale and Brad Pitt, and recently premiered at Los Angeles’ AFI Fest (Nov 5-12).
Other films screening include: Tom McCarthy’s Spotlight; James Vanderbilt’s Truth; Peter Landesman’s Concussion; Nicholas Hytner’s The Lady In The Van; and Hany Abu-Assad’s The Idol...
- 11/25/2015
- ScreenDaily
Kuwaiti filmmaker Abdullah Boushahri won the $100,000 Iwc Filmmaker Award for his feature project The Water at the Dubai International Film Festival (Diff) on Thursday night.
Boushahri received with award from actress Emily Blunt, who sat on the jury along with Iwc Schaffhausen CEO Georges Kern, Diff chairman Abdulhamid Juma, Diff artistic director Masoud Amralla Al Ali, director Marc Forster, Iwc Schaffhausen brand director Karoline Huber and Screen International’s Mark Adams.
Set during a drought in the city of Kuwait in the early 20th century, The Water revolves around a young man with a melodious voice, who is in love with a beautiful girl from a lower-caste family. The two lovers face a multitude of social obstacles as the city’s residents turn to desperate measures to obtain water.
Boushahri previously produced the feature-length film Losing Ahmad, which made its world premiere at Diff in 2006 and won best documentary in the Gulf at the Emirates Film Competition...
Boushahri received with award from actress Emily Blunt, who sat on the jury along with Iwc Schaffhausen CEO Georges Kern, Diff chairman Abdulhamid Juma, Diff artistic director Masoud Amralla Al Ali, director Marc Forster, Iwc Schaffhausen brand director Karoline Huber and Screen International’s Mark Adams.
Set during a drought in the city of Kuwait in the early 20th century, The Water revolves around a young man with a melodious voice, who is in love with a beautiful girl from a lower-caste family. The two lovers face a multitude of social obstacles as the city’s residents turn to desperate measures to obtain water.
Boushahri previously produced the feature-length film Losing Ahmad, which made its world premiere at Diff in 2006 and won best documentary in the Gulf at the Emirates Film Competition...
- 12/12/2014
- by [email protected] (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Asha Bhosle
Legendary Indian playback singer Asha Bhosle will receive Dubai International Film Festival (Diff) Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014.
Bhosle has recorded more than 12,000 songs for more than 850 films in 81 years. Known for her versatility, she has been conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke award in 2000 and the Padma Vibhushan from the Indian government in 2008.
Diff Chairman Abdulhamid Juma said: “Asha Bhosle is a stalwart of the Indian music scene, and we are proud to be honouring her with this Diff Lifetime Achievement Award. Her work has touched almost every corner of the world: we look forward to welcoming such a legend to Dubai and Diff.”
Earlier recipients of Diff Lifetime Achievement award include Martin Sheen, Omar Sharif, Faten Hamamah, Adel Imam, Jameel Rateb, Sabah, Morgan Freeman, Sean Penn, Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Daoud Abdel Sayed, Youssef Chahine, Rachid Bouchareb, Souleymane Cisse, Nabil El-Maleh, Oliver Stone, Danny Glover, Terry Gilliam, Yash Chopra,...
Legendary Indian playback singer Asha Bhosle will receive Dubai International Film Festival (Diff) Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014.
Bhosle has recorded more than 12,000 songs for more than 850 films in 81 years. Known for her versatility, she has been conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke award in 2000 and the Padma Vibhushan from the Indian government in 2008.
Diff Chairman Abdulhamid Juma said: “Asha Bhosle is a stalwart of the Indian music scene, and we are proud to be honouring her with this Diff Lifetime Achievement Award. Her work has touched almost every corner of the world: we look forward to welcoming such a legend to Dubai and Diff.”
Earlier recipients of Diff Lifetime Achievement award include Martin Sheen, Omar Sharif, Faten Hamamah, Adel Imam, Jameel Rateb, Sabah, Morgan Freeman, Sean Penn, Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Daoud Abdel Sayed, Youssef Chahine, Rachid Bouchareb, Souleymane Cisse, Nabil El-Maleh, Oliver Stone, Danny Glover, Terry Gilliam, Yash Chopra,...
- 12/8/2014
- by NewsDesk
- DearCinema.com
Festival bookended by Stephen Hawking biopic and musical Into the Woods.
Stephen Hawking biopic The Theory of Everything will open the 11th Dubai International Film Festival (Diff) on December 10th.
Musical Into the Woods will close the event.
A total of 118 features, film shorts and documentaries are set to be screened over eight days at this year’s edition; including 55 world and international premieres from 48 countries in 34 languages.
At the opening ceremony, Diff will present its Lifetime Achievement Award to Egyptian actor Nour El-Sherif, for his work on more than 100 films in a career that has spanned almost 5 decades.
Talent attending the festival include Emily Blunt, Kelsey Grammer, Paul Bettany, Yilmaz Erdogan, Olga Kurylenko, John Abraham, Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar and Paresh Rawal.
Diff’s Muhr Feature competition jury will be headed up by Precious director Lee Daniels.
Abdulhamid Juma, chairman of Diff, said: “Diff has come so far in the past 11 years, introducing new audiences...
Stephen Hawking biopic The Theory of Everything will open the 11th Dubai International Film Festival (Diff) on December 10th.
Musical Into the Woods will close the event.
A total of 118 features, film shorts and documentaries are set to be screened over eight days at this year’s edition; including 55 world and international premieres from 48 countries in 34 languages.
At the opening ceremony, Diff will present its Lifetime Achievement Award to Egyptian actor Nour El-Sherif, for his work on more than 100 films in a career that has spanned almost 5 decades.
Talent attending the festival include Emily Blunt, Kelsey Grammer, Paul Bettany, Yilmaz Erdogan, Olga Kurylenko, John Abraham, Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar and Paresh Rawal.
Diff’s Muhr Feature competition jury will be headed up by Precious director Lee Daniels.
Abdulhamid Juma, chairman of Diff, said: “Diff has come so far in the past 11 years, introducing new audiences...
- 11/26/2014
- by [email protected] (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
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