The Dubai Filmmart, the trading and distribution platform of the Dubai International Film Festival's (Diff) comprehensive Dubai Film Market, has secured a record showcase of over 220 films from around the world for its 2010 edition.

The seventh edition of Diff, which opens on Sunday, will run till December 19.

Industry buyers at DIFF will have one of the strongest repertoires of films to choose from including 103 films screened, 43 films from the Gulf Film Festival, and 78 Filmmart-recommended films, said a Diff statement.

The line-up includes 23 world premieres, 6 international Premieres, 37 Middle East premieres, and 21 GCC premieres.

Ziad Yaghi, director, Dubai Filmmart, said the trading and distribution platform has grown considerably over the past years by successfully accomplishing distribution deals for films from the Arab world to the wider international markets and vice versa.

“Dubai Film Market is arguably the largest of its kind industry event in Arab world, Asia and Africa, showing the most versatile collection of movies. We have serious buyers from across the world, opening doors for producers to new and untapped markets. This is particularly relevant for Arab films, as they stand to gain a new foothold internationally.”

“Driving forward its objectives of maximising producer-distributor interaction, the Dubai Filmmart unites industry executives from all backgrounds and origins, to trade and distribute film content globally,” Yaghi added.

The selection of films from DIFF available for acquisition this year include Mohamed Diab’s 678, Hesham Issawi’s El Khoroug (Cairo Exit), Zeina Sfeir’s Beirut Al Mouss (All About My Father), Abdulla Al Kaabi’s The Philosopher, Feng Xiaogang’s Tang Shan Da Di Zheng (Aftershock), Ahmad Abdalla’s Microphone, George Hachem’s Rsassa Taycheh (Stray Bullet), Daniel Rudi Haryanto’s Prison and Paradise, Mahmoud Al Massad’s This is my picture when I was dead, among others.

Films from the Gulf Film Festival 2009 include Ashraf Ghori’s Levity – Xero Error Minus 1, Soniya Kriplani’s DoBuy – The Fabric of Faith, Bader Al-Hamoud’s Dark, Fadel Al Muhairi’s Night Guard, and Hussein Abbas El Hulaybi’s Longing.

The Filmmart’s recommendations include Houaida Azar’s Beirut Express, Chloe Mazlo’s Deyrouth, Sahera Dirbas’ Jerusalem Bride, Roy Khalil’s Kil El Assafir Bit Sawfir (All Birds Whistle), Ibrahim El Batout’s Hawi, and critically acclaimed Pink Sari by Kim Longinotto.

These films will be available at potential buyers’ fingertips via touch-screens, designed with sophisticated software which includes direct links to sales agents, at The Cinetech, the Filmmart’s digital video library, designed to assist buyers, distributors, and broadcasters with the screening process, the Diff statement said.

The Diff 2010 box office locations are: CineStar Mall of the Emirates, the Madinat Souk, the CNN Building in Dubai Media City and The Walk at JBR.

Last year, over 3,100 screenings were made for industry buyers at the Dubai Filmmart. The most-viewed films were Ali Mostafa’s City of Life, Michel Khleifi’s Zindeeq, and A Prophet by Jacques Audiard.

Through matchmaking sessions that connect prospective buyers with sellers, and consultancy services for Market delegates, the Dubai Film Market Private Meeting Lounge serves as a key networking venue during the Festival, attracting regional and international industry professionals, the statement added.-TradeArabia News Service