DIFF extends submission deadline
Dubai, August 11, 2011
The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) has extended its submission deadline for the fifth cycle of Dubai Film Connection, DIFF’s co-production market, until August 22.
For the first time, Dubai Film Connection will accept scripts in Arabic and French in addition to English – opening its doors to a wider pool of filmmakers from the Middle East region and around the world.
The twin changes are the festival’s response to growing feedback and requests from Arab and Arab-origin filmmakers keen to participate in the Middle East’s most successful co-production market, said a statement.
The Dubai Film Connection had received more than 100 entries prior to its original August 1 deadline.
Launched in 2007, the Dubai Film Connection selects 15 regional documentary and feature film projects in development annually, offering more than $100,000 in funding. In addition, the co-production market also provides emerging filmmakers with invaluable industry connections, including matchmaking with specialists in sales, distribution, and funding.
Since its inception, it has showcased 64 projects from the Middle East, of which 18 films have been completed and debuted to international acclaim and an additional 10 are in production.
The Dubai Film Connection awards include a €6,000 prize from ARTE France; $10,000 Film Clinic award for a debut feature film; three DIFF awards of $25,000; $15,000 Screen Institute Beirut DIFF documentary award; and five registrations for producers from the Arab world to the prestigious Producers Network at Cannes 2012.
DIFF is currently also receiving entries for its Muhr Awards for Emirati, Arab, and AsiaAfrica films, as well as for the official out-of-competition segment at its eighth edition to be held from December 7 to 14. The deadline for submissions is August 31, 2011.
DIFF is held in association with Dubai Studio City, Dubai Duty Free, Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai Pearl, Emirates Airline and Madinat Jumeirah. The Festival is supported by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority. – TradeArabia News Service
