Diana Ayoub-Dubai
With the slogan “Stories told by nature”, the third edition of the “Al Marmoom: Film in the Desert” festival, organized by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), begins today in the “Al Marmoom Desert Reserve”. The third edition of the festival begins with the screening of over 70 short films, the presentation of more than 10 different seminars and dialogue sessions and 30 workshops addressing the basics of film work and acting, as well as a full program of events and qualitative performances which aim to improve the sustainability of the film industry in the region and help create… An environment that brings film professionals together.
The director of the Festival project “Al Marmoom Film in the Desert”, Moza Al Falasi, spoke to “Emirates Today” about this edition and said: “Through the festival, the Authority seeks to provide an innovative cinematographic platform capable to support filmmakers and motivate those working in the field to develop… Their tools, as well as allowing their various works and stories to be presented to audiences from different segments of society, and this is in harmony with the commitments of authority to advance the local film scene and enhance the strength of Emirati cinema, encouraging creative talents and emerging filmmakers to present works that reflect the cultural face of Dubai and its modern characteristics, and celebrate with our customs, traditions, heritage and success stories, highlighting them to the world. Al Falasi added: “Since its inception, the festival has helped sustain the strength of the cultural and creative industries and enrich the cultural movement taking place in Dubai. The third edition features over 70 short films, bringing the The imprint and signature of numerous Emirati, Gulf and Arab directors, as well as directors from the Western world, who raise many social and environmental issues through their films.
Al Falasi highlighted that the festival is presented in collaboration with VOX Cinema, and a group of films will be screened for the first time in the region, in addition to the documentary film titled “Wild Dubai”, produced by “Dubai Media”. “and documentaries produced by the Mohammed bin Rashid Center. Space and many others. He noted that the festival will see the screening of more than 70 films, as well as a group of musical and historical performances, exhibitions and artistic works inspired by the history of local cinema. Al Falasi stressed that the Authority allocates ample space to highlight the aesthetics of Emirati heritage and traditional craftsmanship, as it allows the participation of numerous artisans during the festival days, which are expected to feature a group of crafts such as Talli and Sadu crafts, which reflects the Authority’s desire to showcase Emirati heritage and strengthen its presence in the festival. Various cultural and artistic events and activities taking place in the emirate.
Regarding the criteria that regulate the selection of films, Al Falasi underlined that the selection is made based on the quality with which the film was made and the content contained in it, explaining that the selection takes place through a committee specialized in all the areas of the film industry, which is responsible for the evaluation process, both of the films that will be screened at the festival or that will participate in its official competition, with an indication of the festival’s desire to present good and humanitarian works that have the ability to touch the hearts of spectators, as well as to discuss various social and environmental issues. As for the festival’s competition, he noted that it is called “Al Marmoom Short Film Making Competition” and includes three categories: documentaries, animated films and live action films, explaining that the winning films are selected based on a set of quality standards The content presentation method and the value of the grand prize reach 30 thousand dirhams for each category.
Festival seminars
The “Al Marmoom: Film in the Desert” festival agenda includes more than 10 different seminars and dialogue sessions, attended by an elite group of stars, speakers, directors and film industry specialists. The seminars will discuss the challenges faced by those working in the fields of the “Seventh Art”, as well as many topics related to the sector, including filming in Dubai, presented by the Dubai Film and Television Production Committee, the involvement of the Arab artist in the world of cinema, and the effects of artificial intelligence on Arab and international cinema. The impact of films in strengthening ties between different cultures. As for the workshops, there are more than 30 and they cover the basic notions and techniques of preparing an actor, the methods of calculating costs and budgets of films, the difference between a dramatic and a film script, the art of photography, lighting, editing and coloring, the methods of making documentaries, short films and children’s films, the controls of each of them and the importance of dubbing in cinematographic works, Arab and international.
Moza Al Falasi:
Since its inception, the festival has helped sustain the strength of the cultural and creative industries and enrich the cultural movement taking place in Dubai.
2024-01-11 22:54:05
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