A still from Abdulla Al Kaabi’s Koshk
From October 23rd to November 1st, the Abu Dhabi Film Festival will showcase a jam-packed program of 197 films from 61 countries at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi; among the selection are seven world premieres of Arab films. We bring you our highlights to help the cinephiles plan their program for this year’s ten-day film festival.
OPENING NIGHT FILM: From A to B
For the very first time since its inception in 2007, the Abu Dhabi Film Festival will open with a homegrown film. Director of the hour, Ali Mostafa’s feature From A to B, tells the story of three men who travel 1,500 miles from Abu Dhabi to Beirut in the memory of their deceased friend.
3 OTHER NOTABLE HOMEGROWN FILMS TO SEE
Theeb, by Jordanian director, Naji Abu Nowar, follows the journey of a British officer and his Bedouin guides through the Arabian desert. Notably, Abu Nowar is this year’s winner of the Orizzonti Award for Best Director at the 71st Venice Film Festival.
Koshk, a short film by Emirati film director, Abdulla Al Kaabi, tells the story of an abandoned mother saved by a traveler who resembles her own son. Al Kaabi shot this movie in the desert mountains of Iran and it has been selected for ADFF’s Short Film Competition.
El Ott, a long film co-production between Egypt and the UAE and directed by Ibrahim Albatout, tells the story of an Egyptian gangster embroiled in the organ traffic milieu.
EMIRATES FILM COMPETITION
Featuring 53 films, 37 of which are by female directors, catch Desire by Bahraini director, Hala Matar, and starring American actor, Johnny Knoxville (creator and star of the MTV reality series Jackass). The story of a silver-screen actress who drifts in and out of character as she longs for her co-star is selected for ADFF’s Short Film Competition.
SPECIAL PROGRAM: Highlight on The Arab Diasphora
Nine feature-length films and three shorts will showcase works by Arab directors whom have migrated from their homelands and made films on the subject of emigration. Today, the Arab Diaspora represents roughly 30 million people living outside of their homeland all over the world.
INTERNATIONAL FILM LINE UP
Among the many international feature films to be screened during ADFF, catch a restored version of Rebel Without a Cause starring James Dean (October 24th); Miss Julie starring Jessica Chastain and Colin Farrell (October 24th and 26th); and The Homesman starring Hilary Swank and Tommy Lee Jones (October 24th). Finally, the documentary, Dior and I, a behind-the-scenes look at creative director Raf Simons’ first collection at the House of Dior will make its MENA debut on October 26th.
THE JURY
Members of the jury include Mumbai-based actor, Irrfan Khan, who will lead the Narrative Features segment. The New Horizons jury will be led by Paris-based producer, Catherine Dussart; while the Documentary Features jury will be led by Brooklyn-based director and cinematographer, Christina Voros. The Emirates Film Competition jury will be headed by Moroccan screenwriter and director, Farida Benlyazid; and the International Short Films Competition jury will be led by Bahraini director and producer, Bassam Al Thawadi. The Child Protection Awards jury will be led by Egyptian award-winning director, Marwan Hamed; and finally, the Network for Promotion of Asian Cinema jury will be headed by Vietnamese director, Dang Nhat Minh; while the International Federation of Film Critics jury will be led by Russian journalist, Kirill Razlogov.
KEY PANEL DISCUSSIONS TO ATTEND
In Conversation with Rachid Bouchareb
Listen in on a talk by Rachid Bouchareb, a French/Algerian director and producer, he has three Oscar nominations to his name and is one of the most successful Arab directors living today. Friday, October 24th.
From A to B—the “A to Z” of Making an Emirati Feature Film
A case study on the festival’s opening night film by Emirati director, Ali Mostafa; take a closer look at the filmmaking process from development to post production. Friday, October 24th.
Build It and They Will Come
Join an analytical discussion and retrospective analysis on the Gulf’s fledging film industry. Monday, October 27th.
Crowdfunding the Arab World: How to Make a Success of Your Crowdfunding Campaign
Learn how to pitch a winning campaign, from planning to pitching your video, and the role of social media. Tuesday, October 28th.
From October 23rd to November 1st at Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi
