The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) has joined hands with Spain’s San Sebastian International Film Festival to promote Arab filmmakers in Europe.

The team will support post-production and create networking opportunities with global film professionals, a statement said.

Dubai Film Connection, the co-production market of DIFF, has partnered with Cinema in Motion, its counterpart in the San Sebastian festival. The Spanish festival, currently in its sixth edition, ends today (September 25).

Cinema in Motion supports feature films in the last leg of filming or in the post-production stage, submitted by filmmakers from the Maghreb, Portuguese-speaking African countries and developing Arab countries.

DIFF will help San Sebastian reach out to Arab filmmakers and recommend film projects for consideration in Cinema in Motion. The festival will also select a film from the Spanish showcase to receive EUR5,000 ($67,450) towards post-production and an invitation to the Dubai Film Connection for additional networking with the international film community, the statement said.

The San Sebastian Festival, in turn, will promote the Dubai Film Connection to the Spanish and European film industry, particularly companies interested in Arab films and filmmakers. DIFF will also lend its expertise to the selection process for Cinema In Motion.

“DIFF is committed to expand the reach of Arab films and filmmakers globally, and our collaboration with the San Sebastian International Film Festival will further establish our imprint in Europe and enable us to promote Arab talent to a wider audience,” said Shivani Pandya, managing director of DIFF.

“The reciprocal relationship is also an indicator of growing global Arab interest in Arab cinema.”

Mikel Olaciregui, director of the San Sebastian International Film Festival, said: “The Arab world has immense cinematic talent, and our Cinema in Motion initiative aims to celebrate the excellence and creativity found in the region.”

Cinema in Motion has selected four films from Iraq, Jordan and Morocco to screen this year, including one co-directed by Mohamed Al-Daradji, whose widely acclaimed film ‘Son of Babylon’ was a DFC project.

In addition to the DIFF financial support, projects at Cinema in Motion can win EUR15,000 in sound mixing services from Mac’Tari Mixing Studio, EUR10,000 towards the cost of post-production in France from Centre National du Cinema et de l’image Animee (CNC), EUR2,500 towards subtitling and other prizes.

The seventh edition of Dubai International Film Festival 2010 will be held from December 12 to 19, in association with Dubai Studio City and supported by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority. – TradeArabia News Service