The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) yesterday announced new plans for business opportunities within the Dubai Film Market (DFM) during the 11th edition of the Festival (10 ­ 17th December 2014). The DFM runs concurrently with the Festival with a mission to support filmmakers by creating a hub for Arab cinema and a destination for sales and acquisitions of Arab films and TV content.
In a bid to improve the visibility of a range of Arab productions, the DFM will combine a showcase of Arabic content from the small and big screen enabling international buyers to sample the very best from the Arab world. In addition, the Market provides a platform for content providers in the region to acquire the latest offerings from around the world.
DIFF has partnered with industry leaders Gulf Film, Vox, Front Row Filmed Entertainment, and the Kuwait National Cinema Company. This collaboration involves each organisation selecting and securing distribution for at least one Arab title from DIFF's 2014 film programme. This new initiative for the 11th edition is a great opportunity for independent filmmakers to obtain distribution and showcase their films to a wider audience both here in the region and on the world stage.
DIFF's Managing Director, Shivani Pandya, explained: "The focus on sales, acquisitions and distribution of Arab film and TV content is an obvious move as distribution remains a huge challenge for Arab filmmakers. One of the key aims at the DFM this year, with the support of leading companies from the region, is to introduce new initiatives that will help filmmakers' projects secure exposure with audiences in the region and on the world stage. The regional television and film industry has seen tremendous growth over the last few years and there is an increasing appetite for more relevant and locally produced original material, which is being created to meet these demands. In addition, with the number of film and TV productions taking place in the U.A.E., putting the country on the world stage as a strategically important global hub, we hope to attract more industry professionals to experience the DFM this December." Sales agents, distributors, broadcasters and other purchasers will have access to DIFF's Cinetech, a digital library that houses over 350 titles of the festival's offerings, giving buyers a first-look at the latest showcase of rich and diverse independent films. DIFF is also increasing the number of exhibitor stands for companies to take advantage of the excellent opportunities to interact with industry leaders, view their products and network with major players in the region and beyond.
There will also be networking opportunities with all the key decision makers in the film and content industry of the MENA region, panel discussions that focus on the latest global practices, screenings and industry events that will showcase emerging and established talent from the Arab world.