The United Arab Emirates may be most famous for its grandiose towers, artificial islands and shopping malls, but its film festivals are equally ambitious.
The Dubai International Film Festival was launched in 2004, but last year drew more than 47,000 viewers to over 180 films. Blockbuster starlets, Bollywood heroes and Arabic filmmakers all mixed to help promote Dubai as a budding film industry centre in the Gulf.
“Dubai began this idea of ‘cultural bridge’ through film, but the festival was also initially undoubtedly attributable to Dubai’s penchant for public relations,” says Antonia Carver, a programmer at the Dubai festival and editor-at-large for Bidoun, a Middle East arts and culture magazine. “But over its five years it has gradually positioned itself as the leading showcase for Arab cinema.”
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