DIFF -

The 9th edition of DIFF (Dubai International Film Festival) will be held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE, from the 9th to the 16th of December, 2012. DIFF is a spectacle in itself with top Hollywood, Bollywood, Arab and other actors from across the world descending on Dubai. DIFF has seen a steady and strong upward growth from the days of its inception. DIFF 2011 supported films, including Death for Sale by Morocco’s Faouz Bensaidi, Diff-award winner The Last Friday by Jordan’s Yahya Alabdallah, “Gate #5” by Lebanon’s Simon El Habre and “The Rif Lover” by Morocco’s Narjiss Nejjar are currently at the 62nd Berlinale, one of the world’s leading festivals. The latter three films were supported by the Dubai Film Market’s post-production support programme, Enjaaz; the first by its co-production market, Dubai Film Connection. Other films screened at Diff, including Egypt’s ½ Revolution and Palestine’s Cinema Jenin, are also included in the festival’s Panorama, Forum or European Film Market sections, highlighting DIFF’s success in developing its talent. In order to support and encourage Emirati, Arab, Asian and African film makers, the festival has awarded more than US$600,000. DIFF has also invested in co-production, post production support Arab filmmakers through Dubai Film Market. deepak@machado.ws