7 new Gulf short films to get noticed

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Ambulance Driver written and directed by Hadi Mahoud, Cholo written and directed by Munza Musafer, Cotton by Iraqi writer and director Loay Fadhl, Don’t Leave me Behind from Emirati writer Yousef Ebrahim and director Khalid Al Mahmoud, Emirates Airlines, Enjaaz, Fragrance of the Dead, Fragrance of the Dead from Bahraini writer Farid Ramadan and Iraqi director Emad Ali Abbas, Gulf Film Festival, Gulf’s scriptwriters, Image Nation Abu Dhabi, Our Screens written and directed by Mohammed Tawfik, The Crucified from Qatari writer and director Khalid Al Mahmoud

After watching heaps of romantic comedies, I have now expanded my genres into short films and documentaries thanks to the inspiration from local film makers and DIFF. The great news is that Enjaaz, the post-production support programme, and Image Nation Abu Dhabi have announced a collaboration that will see them joining forces to further support the region’s filmmakers in developing their own voices and taking their place in the international film community.

The move to strengthen the support for the production of Gulf short films was launched in 2011 between the Gulf Film Festival and the Dubai Film Market’s Enjaaz programme supporting 4 projects last year, and together with Image Nation Abu Dhabi will support 7 films from the 2012 Enjaaz cycle with the mission of bringing these projects to the big screen. This is the first time Image Nation Abu Dhabi and the Gulf Film Festival have pooled resources and funds with the common goal of supporting filmmakers from the Gulf towards the completion of their short films and further develop a sustainable film industry in the region.

The seven selected projects will see the filmmakers awarded up to $50,000 per project in production funds and access to a wealth of experience and guidance from Image Nation Abu Dhabi.  The Enjaaz projects include: Fragrance of the Dead from Bahraini writer Farid Ramadan and Iraqi director Emad Ali Abbas, Cholo written and directed by Munza Musafer from Oman, Don’t Leave me Behind from Emirati writer Yousef Ebrahim and director Khalid Al Mahmoud, The Crucified from Qatari writer and director Khalid Al Mahmoud, Cotton by Iraqi writer and director Loay Fadhl, Ambulance Driver written and directed by Hadi Mahoud and Our Screens written and directed by Mohammed Tawfik both from Iraq.

The projects Cotton, The crucified and Cholo were all selected through the Gulf Script Market for Short Films, an initiative that was launched in 2012 to raise the profile of the Gulf’s scriptwriters, assist them in fine-tuning their scripts and form partnerships with directors and producers. ..a lot to look forward to film buffs in the region 🙂

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Patron of the Arts

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AGMC, AGMC-BMW, Art Dubai, ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller, Design Days, Dubai Culture, Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, Dubai Duty Free, Emirates Airline, Gulf Film Festival, Jumeirah Group, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Patrons of the Arts Awards

Performers at a recent exhibition from Uzbekistan supported by Dubai Culture - I loved it

Thanks to Yasser & his team, my daughter loved the performance by a Chechen Dance troupe recently organised by Dubai Culture

The last few weeks has been awesome for Dubai Culture – I’ve always known the team there to be super dynamic (I seriously want to know where people like Yasser and Bilal get their energy) but I reckon recently they have surpassed themselves after hosting one amazing cultural performance/exhibition/celebration after another.

So when the equally amazing team of Asda who know I lap up anything that’s remotely associated with Art & Culture and would support the boys there anytime contacted me about the The Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Patrons of the Arts Awards,I jumped up and headed towards Jumeirah Zabeel – its not just the superb hammam there that pulls me towards this amazing hotel.

This key initiative was announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President & Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai and honoured 47 organisations and individuals for their contributions towards the city’s cultural scene …which I may add grows twofold every time I get my fabulous self to set some time aside after work to check my social calendar.

Organised by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirate’s dedicated Authority for culture, arts, and heritage, the awards were aimed at encouraging patrons of the arts to further strengthen the evolution of the city’s cultural landscape through patronage.

Saeed Al Nabouda, Acting Director General, Dubai Culture & Arts Authority was there and he looked so different than when I first worked with him during DSF 2000 – he has managed to get increased support from Government departments and organisations, in addition to a vast pool of new patrons for culture and the arts.

It was awesome to see some of my favourite organisations and the representatives from Emirates Airlines, Jumeirah Group, Dubai Duty Free and AGMC – BMW being honoured – these guys do great stuff for art & culture and the people behind these brands are the nicest you will find in Dubai.

I’m hoping more things like Art Week, Art Dubai, Design Days, Dubai International Film Festival, Gulf Film Festival, Emirates Airline Festival of Literature and Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre add to the culture and arts scene of the city….we definitely need to give more recognition as well to the performing arts which has struggled heaps over the last 10 years. The tides are changing thanks to the amazing work of Dubai Culture and this diva is pleased to be in a city that brings so much of the worlds static and performing arts to us on a silver platter. Smiling heaps!