For the past decade, Dubai has worked fervently to position itself as a cultural hub. Thanks to an array of large-scale events ranging from conferences to the massive preparation surrounding the World Expo 2020, Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) has become a heavyweight event on the film festival circuit.
Headquartered at the Madinat Jumeirah Conference & Event Centre, films are being screened across Dubai at various locations like the Mall of Emirates and The Beach Dubai, and in multiple theatres around the Madinat.
DIFF Chairman Abdulhamid Juma speaks on stage during the Opening Night Gala of 'Room'
Films
This year’s festival is seriously global; films spanning from China to Palestine to Mexico are premiering and screening throughout the week, including animated films such as ‘The Peanuts Movie’ and ‘Bilal’. Cinema for children like Indian film ‘Rainbow’ and ‘Savva, Heart of the Warrior’ hailing from Russia and shown in 3D. Classic movie ‘Jaws’ was shown on December 12th outdoors on The Beach with Richard Dreyfuss in attendance, the star of the 1975 American cult film.
Arab films are always championed at DIFF. A key portion of the programme is the Muhr Awards, an initiative designed to demonstrate talent from the Arab world. Directors of Arab-origin compete for the winning title, and this year’s competition resulted in over 1,000 submissions. 60 made it to the final list, and the award ceremony will take place the final evening on December 16th.
Gala Features
The following films will be shown throughout the week as gala features:
Catherine Deneuve at the opening night of the Dubai Film Festival
Appearances
Awards and a celebratory closing event featuring a performance by artist Shaggy will both take place on the final festival day, but the a highlight of the week is arguably ‘A Conversation with Jake Gyllenhaal’ at 6pm in the Souk Madinat Theatre on December 16th. An Oscar nominee and BAFTA winner, Gyllenhaal will be presented with the ‘International Star Award’ of 2015 by American publication Variety. Renowned for his performances in 'Brokeback Mountain', 'Jarhead', and 'Donnie Darko', Gyllenhaal is a pinnacle indicator of DIFF’s status as a serious industry event.
But celebrities have made appearances all weekend long. From Eva Longoria and Terrance Howard hitting the red carpet Saturday evening for the DIFF Charity Gala for the Eva Longaria Foundation, to Dev Patel star of iconic film Slumdog Millionaire spending time in Dubai for the screening of his latest independent film ‘The Man Who Knew Infinity’.
At a press conference in Madinat Jumeirah on December 12th, the cast and crew assembled to discuss ‘The Man Who Knew Infinity’. Patel stars as Srinvasa Ramanujan, a math prodigy from Southern India who travels to Cambridge and is mentored by eccentric mathematician played by Jeremy Irons. On the Panel, Patel discussed the topic of diversity in the film industry, and how he thinks it’s changing.
“I dropped out of school really early, and I’m growing up in this industry. What I think film making is about to its core is trying to understand what it’s like to be really human. That’s really the core of it always. If you can find that honesty in your work I think it makes you empathize with people and make you become a more sensitive being, at least that’s what it’s been like for me... Not only am I travelling the world and experiencing other cultures, but I think I’m becoming more sensitive.”
He went on to state a point of view that truly reflects the views and ethos of DIFF:
“There’s no cultural divides in a dark room when you go and watch a movie. Everyone has to go in and sit as equals to have this experience, so it’s up to us as film makers to project something that can unite people, or represent a sense of triumph or hope.”
Dev Patel hits the red carpet at the 2015 Dubai International Film Festival
For more information visit: www.dubaifilmfest.com
