The Dubai Film Market (DFM), a leading industry platform and Image Nation Abu Dhabi, a top media company, have partnered for the fifth year to award Dh250,000 ($68,050) to five Gulf filmmakers for their short film projects.

Submissions are now open for Gulf filmmakers to apply for the 2017 Enjaaz cycle for production funding. Submissions will be judged by a panel of experts from Image Nation and Enjaaz who will select five talented filmmakers who have submitted compelling storytelling projects.

The allocated funds will provide the chosen filmmakers with the resources they need to start or complete production and help them eventually present them to worldwide audiences. Submissions close on 30th June, 2017.

Enjaaz has been an instrumental part of the Dubai Film Market, DIFF’s industry platform for Arab cinema and business epicentre of the Festival, having played a significant role in supporting Arab filmmakers with their productions, both during and post-production.

The programme has become a wellspringfor the evolution of cinema in the region and contributed to raising the profile of Arab films in festivals and film markets, both at home and abroad. Since the programme’s inception, more than 140 films have benefitted from the support system provided by Enjaaz.

Masoud Amralla Al Ali, DIFF’s artistic director, said: “Each year at DIFF we witness the wealth and breadth of regional talent from across the region and the Enjaaz programme continues to grow alongside these works and play a crucial role in allowing such stories to come to life.We are very excited to be working with Image Nation for the fifth year to discover a new slate of compelling films from the Gulf region.Our partnership has become an integral force behind the growth of cinema in the region, and we are privileged to be part of this journey and to see these films flourish on a regional and global stage.”

Michael Garin, CEO of Image Nation Abu Dhabi, said:“We value our partnership with the Dubai Film Market and believe Enjazz supports our shared ambition to further develop a sustainable film community in the region.We’re excited to see this year’s participants and look forward to helping launch the careers of this region’s future filmmakers.”

The 14thedition of the Dubai International Film Festival will be held December 6 – 13. – TradeArabia News Service