Submissions are now open for the Dubai Film Connection (DFC), the co-production market for Arab filmmaker’s part of the Dubai Film Market (DFM), the business counterpart of Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF).

The DFC, now in its 10th year, has discovered and presented projects from emerging and established writers, directors and producers from the Arab world to industry professionals around the world.

It has showcased more than 135 fiction and non-fiction film projects in development to regional and international industry decision makers of which 56 have been completed.

The DFC has witnessed a substantial improvement in the quality, creativity and originality of content from the Arab world and has been crucial in creating opportunities for growth and collaboration between the Arab world and the international film industry.

Shivani Pandya, DIFF’s managing director said: “The future of the Arab film industry and the festival rests on the combined efforts of finding talent in the region and providing a business platform for filmmakers to network with leading figures from the industry who can become involved in the projects and provide or give access to financial support.”

“Over the last 10 years, we have seen an increase in the number of Arab films featuring at major film festivals and many are securing theatrical releases and enjoying commercial success. We are thrilled to demonstrate every year at DIFF the great depth and variety of the region’s talent which continues to emerge through the Dubai Film Connection Programme and look forward to the next 10 years,” Pandya added.

The DFC is now open for submissions for feature-length fiction and non-fiction projects in development by directors of Arab nationality or origin. The co-production market introduces Arab filmmakers to regional and international film backers and organisations over three days of intensive meetings during DIFF. Deadline for submission is August 1 and details are available at diff.ae.

The 14th Dubai International Film Festival will run from December 6 to 13. – TradeArabia News Service