The fourth edition of the Gulf Film Festival, the home of contemporary cinema from the region, concluded last night (April 20) after screening 153 films from 31 nations during its week-long run in Dubai.

Mohammed Al Murr, vice chairman of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), presented trophies and cash prizes to the winners of the Gulf Competition for film professionals and students, and the festival’s inaugural international competition for short films.

At the closing ceremony at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City, the festival also presented its 2011 Lifetime Achievement honours to Emirati actress Mariam Sultan, Saudi director/producer Mohammad F Al Gazzaz, Kuwaiti producer/director Mohammad Al-Sanousi for their contribution to Arab cinema, and the Special Recognition Award to Kuwaiti thespian Mohammed Almunai.

GFF also honoured world-renowned director Abbas Kiarostami, who held his first master-class in the region in Dubai for 45 filmmakers, as well as avant-garde French filmmaker Gerard Courant, whose films were screened in the festival’s In Focus segment.

In addition to the winners in the in-competition segments at the festival, the New York Film Academy Abu Dhabi presented two special awards to outstanding GFF filmmakers at the closing ceremony.

There were over 114 films from the Arabian Peninsula including 45 from the UAE and a strong representation from the GCC region and Iraq.

GFF 2011 also organised free student workshops led by film industry experts and by New York Film Academy Abu Dhabi.

GFF 2011 was held at the InterContinental Hotel, Crowne Plaza and Grand Festival Cinemas at Dubai Festival City. It is supported by Dubai Culture & Arts Authority and is held in association with Dubai Studio City. – TradeArabia News Service