Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) has announced the return of its Friends of the Festival packages, offering fans special access to gala screenings, elite parties and exclusive screenings and conferences.

Proceeds from the packages go towards supporting DIFF’s commitment to developing a thriving film culture in the Middle East.

This year, DIFF has put together a bespoke series of packages across three tiers – DIFF Gold, Platinum and Royal.

Friends of the Festival are invited to DIFF’s exclusive opening and closing film and party, gala films and experiences, and regular screenings through the Festival – including a hair and makeup session beforehand as well as access to the DIFF celebrity gift lounge.

Guests will also have the chance to attend exclusive press conferences and interact with leading industry professionals at the Dubai Film Market. Previous editions of the Festival have hosted stars such as George Clooney, Morgan Freeman, Cate Blanchett, Tom Cruise, Dev Patel, Emily Blunt, Martin Sheen and Jake Gyllenhaal.

The most luxurious package, the ‘Royal Package’, encompasses a unique range of benefits and countless once-in-a-lifetime opportunities in addition to an unforgettable three-night trip to the 70th Cannes Film Festival in 2017.

The Friends of the Festival programme also acts as a fund-raising platform encouraging philanthropists and art lovers within the UAE who appreciate the cultural importance of the festival to contribute to its continuous growth and development.

Shivani Pandya, DIFF’s managing director said: “Friends of the Festival are film lovers and culture enthusiasts who are aware of the importance of events like DIFF and its role in building sustainable industry in the region. As well as supporting the growth of the industry, they can enjoy an exclusive DIFF experience with the opportunity to meet filmmakers, celebrities and industry gurus that inspire them to continue their support of the arts at one of the UAE’s most anticipated cultural events.”

“Back for its 13th year, DIFF’s Friends of the Festival program is a significant foundation for arts funding in the Middle East. As the popularity of the packages grows year by year, our base of friends and loyal supporters has expanded, and we owe it to those supporters to provide the most exclusive and elite film experience possible for them,” she added.

DIFF has been included in Condé Nast Traveler magazine’s list of the world’s top 15 film festivals for two years in a row, reaffirming its status as a leading international film festival and a cultural hub for filmmaking in the region. DIFF earned its spot on the magazine’s list for being a platform to discover the best in Arab cinema and an exhilarating destination to mingle with A-list stars and celebrities from all over the world.

Registration is now open for the 13th edition of the Dubai International Film Festival, which will take place from December 7 to 14. – TradeArabia News Service