The latest feature films, short films, documentaries and VR experiences from world-renowned and local talents will be showcased at the 14th edition of the Dubai International Film Festival, to be held in December, in Dubai, UAE.

Industry attendees and film fans are encouraged to register now for early bird offers for the film festival, which will run from December 6 to 13, organisers said.

Heralded by Condé Nast Traveler magazine as one of the world’s top ‘15 film festivals’, the Dubai International Film Festival has cemented its reputation as the ultimate destination to discover exciting, original and compelling films from the Arab world and beyond, said a statement.

Shining a spotlight on the future of the film industry, students, media and professionals from the film, broadcast and advertising industry are encouraged to join the region’s largest congregation of filmmakers, producers, scriptwriters, editors, animators and distributors for the festival’s 14th edition, it said.

Festival attendees will receive blanket access to eight days of unique cinematic experiences from priority tickets for the stellar lineup of local, regional and international premieres, red carpet galas to press conferences, forums, masterclasses, VR experiences and panel sessions as talent and industry elites descend on Madinat Jumeirah.  

A step away from the red carpet, DIFF’s Dubai Film Market (DFM) gathers over 4,000 registered delegates from more than 60 countries to connect projects, create crucial partnerships and share best practice.

Running parallel to the Festival, DFM’s packed schedule last year featured more than 75 speakers including Academy and four-time BAFTA winning director, writer and producer Asif Kapadia, renowned actor Samuel L Jackson, Oscar nominated director Lenny Abrahamson, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Cheryl Boone Isaacs and Cannes Film Festival director Thierry Frémaux.

Past editions have seen organisations at the forefront of film and TV including Netflix, STX, Filmnation and HBO engaging with the industry at the market.

The 2016 Festival also witnessed the introduction of a brand new Virtual Reality (VR) programme, ‘DIFFerent REALITY’, designed to give festival-goers a window into the possibilities of virtual reality technology by viewing films in a whole new dimension.

Housed at the du VR Cinema powered by Samsung, the initiative – a first in the region – will return for the 2017 Festival alongside the latest in film innovations including Augmented Reality (AR).

Shivani Pandya, DIFF managing director, said: “Every year we strive to ensure the Festival provides an unforgettable experience introducing audiences to the broadest range of compelling, challenging and entertaining films from a generation of new exciting talent and acclaimed filmmakers from around the world.”

“Beyond the silver screen, there is a wealth of knowledge, insight and creation housed within our Dubai Film Market, whatever segment of the media, film, TV industry you work in, the DFM is a great hub to network and connect with the local, regional and international thought leaders, decision makers and experts,” she said.

“We look forward to welcoming acclaimed directors, producers and actors from across the globe to share their journeys and inspire a growing and emerging talent pool in the region this December. There’s so much to be watched, experienced and explored and we encourage everyone to register early to make sure they are part of it,” she added. – TradeArabia News Service