Kicking off the first day of the 13thDubai International Film Festival (DIFF), five of the most talented and promising young stars from across the Middle East were selected today as part of the inaugural Arab Stars of Tomorrow.

The initiative was launched by the festival in partnership with Screen International.

The initiative flags ‘ones to watch’ and helps boost their profile on a global level as part of DIFF’s key commitments to supporting the growth and development of the Arab film industry.

The ‘Arab Stars of Tomorrow’ have been curated and selected by Screen International’s Middle East correspondent Melanie Goodfellow, with input from Asia Editor Liz Shackleton and Fionnuala Halligan, chief critic and reviews editor.

To help raise their profile, each of the five Arab Stars of Tomorrow will be featured in the Festival’s Screen Daily publication, distributed to the thousands of industry representatives that attend DIFF each year. In addition, the five talents will be featured in Screen’s weekly print edition, which is distributed to a global film industry readership, and also on Screendaily.com

Screen International is one of the most respected industry publications in the world and known for their talent-spotting prowess thanks to successful scouting via their UK Stars of Tomorrow initiative, which is now in its 13th year. For ‘Arab Stars of Tomorrow’, Screen International shortlisted five actors and directors who have already made a significant impact in their field with promise of much more to come.

Matt Mueller, editor of Screen International, commented on the first-ever edition: “I am delighted to unveil our very first line-up of Arab Stars of Tomorrow, and to be partnering with DIFF on this initiative. Our UK Stars of Tomorrow has talent-spotted a host of actors and film-makers who have gone on to become household names, and I believe that Arab Stars of Tomorrow will be able to offer a similar international platform for launching outstanding regional talent to industry and audiences around the world.”

Shivani Pandya, DIFF managing director, added: “Since DIFF’s inception in 2004, the Festival has continued its commitment to providing an international platform to support and promote Arab talent. This is an exciting time for DIFF as the collaboration with Screen International, who are renowned for their talent-spotting ability, will provide an unmatched opportunity to raise the profile some of the most talented and deserving individuals in the region today. I congratulate all of the shortlisted individuals and no doubt look forward to seeing their work at future Festivals.”

The 13th edition of DIFF will take place from December 7 – 14. – TradeArabia News Service