We have to admit that it is laudable that UAE nationals have come as far as to make movies. But you can’t help wanting more out of these aspiring directors. So far their progress seems to have come to a standstill. Over the last few years all their movies are either short films or documentaries.
Help and support
For once we would like to see a two-hour fiction film done by a UAE national. But Masoud Amralla Al Ali, Artistic Director, Arab Programming and Head of DIFF Arab Film Competition, says that’s not going to be happening anytime soon and for good reason.
While the Dubai International Film Festival and the Emirates Film competition aim to boost the films of UAE nationals and Arabs in general, according to Amralla, UAE nationals will not be making three-hour-long epics without funding from the government and a dedicated film school.
“Making a movie is expensive. The films UAE nationals are doing now are self-funded. They are mostly short films and documentaries done with one or two cameras and a small cast. A bigger movie would require more money and nationals can’t afford it. They need the help and support of the government”
Come a long way
In spite of the lack of funding, nationals have come a long way in the film industry. They have not only participated in international festivals but have come home with awards.
“All they need (to be making blockbuster movies) is support from the government and we have to believe in them.”
This year’s Dubai International Film Festival promises to be larger, more spectacular and enticing than any other year with Dh1 million in prize money for the festival’s new Arab film competition — the Muhr Awards for Excellence in Arab Cinema.
Young horse
Addressing a press conference, the festival management said the term Muhr, meaning young horse in Arabic, is in line with Dubai International Film Festival’s logo.
Symbolising the Arabian heritage, Muhr also embodies nobility and spirit, and will highlight DIFF as a film festival that is representative of the region.
The top prize in the Arab Film Competition for best feature will be close to Dh185,000 ($50,000).
The competition will additionally award UAE filmmakers for the best script in the shorts category, and give recognition to an emerging UAE filmmaker as the most promising filmmaker for 2006 (Dh30,000 has been earmarked for the winner of the Most Promising UAE Filmmaker award).
