This week sees the return of the annual Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF). Now in its 14th year, the highly anticipated event will take place from December 6th to 13th at the Madinat Jumeirah. With a total of 140 feature-length, short and non-fiction films from 51 countries screening over the course of the week, as well as a number of special presentations, gala events, talks, panel discussions and appearances from some of the film industry’s most talented figures and emerging Arab stars, there’s plenty on offer for the region’s film fanatics. Here we share the five films and events we are most looking forward to this year.
Haifaa Al Mansour
1. Women at the Helm
Visionary female directors Kimberly Pierce, Haifaa Al Mansour, Niki Caro and Dee Rees will share their knowledge and expertise during a panel discussion titled Women at the Helm, in partnership with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences at 11:30am on December 8th.
2. Manolo: The Boy Who Made Shoes For Lizards
This entertaining documentary biopic chronicles the life of Manolo Blahnik, providing an intimate insight into his life and tracking the trajectory of his career. The film screens at 19:30pm on December 11th.
3. Last Men in Aleppo (Akher Alregal Fe Halab)
Directed by award-winning Syrian film maker Feras Fayyd, and winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, this documentary takes viewers deep into the heart of Aleppo where remaining Syrian residents are struggling to survive. Help comes from the White Helmets, civilian corps who help people caught up in the attacks. Surrounded by death and destruction, these brave souls draw on their courage to keep the streets safe.
4. Ghafah
Emirati filmaker Aisha Al Zaabi returns to DIFF with her feature film Ghafah. Telling the compelling stories of three Emirati women spanning three generations. Mahra is a young bride, Najla, a wedding organizer in her forties and Um Ali a 70-year-old, who takes care of her grandson Rashid. Each one is in despair. How will their respective situations summon forth their inner fortitude? And, how are the three women connected?
Cate Blanchett
5. Star Spotting
With Sir Patrick Stewart, Irrfan Khan, Cate Blanchett, Sarah Jessica Parker and Vanessa Williams set to fly in for DIFF, we’ll be looking out for them (and what they’re wearing) on the red carpet.
