DIFF welcomes audiences to 12th edition with a showcase of cinematic excellence across the Emirate

Screenings taking place across the city - tickets available at www.diff.ae

Dubai - December 8th, 2015: With the return of the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) for a landmark 12th edition the UAE prepares for an eclectic showcase of the world’s greatest cinema from internationally acclaimed filmmakers and rising stars alike.

The exponential growth of DIFF since its inception in 2004 has led to the Festival becoming recognised as one of the most prestigious events on the global film calendar. The line-up for this years’ Festival upholds this reputation, boasting a staggering 134 films from 60 countries - including 55 world and international premieres, 46 MENA premieres, 11 Middle-East premieres and 17 GCC premieres.

The 12th edition is set to provide an unmatched cinematic experience across Dubai with the return of free public screenings to THE BEACH, opposite JBR, that will include all the action of the silver screen and red carpet with eight nights of movie magic under the stars. As well as screening a wide range of films from across DIFF’s exceptional line-up, the community will also play witness to cinema brought to life with live performances and interactive sessions from JAWS director Richard Dreyfuss, beloved Palestinian singer Mohammed Assaf - winner of the second season of Arab Idol and musicians from ‘Song of Lahore’.

Continuing its successful collaboration with VOX Cinemas, films from the Festival’s 12th programme will be screened from Thursday, 10th December onwards until the Festival’s close. With eight dedicated screens at VOX Cinema, Mall of the Emirates, showcasing the best of local, regional and international cinema, cinephiles and filmgoers from across the Emirate will be taken on a journey from awe-inspiring and treacherous climbs up Mt Everest and the depths of the Asian continent with Chinese miners, to stories of love and struggle in war-torn Syria and tales of childhood, ambition and tradition in the UAE. Film fans can buy tickets from the DIFF box office, which is open online at www.diff.ae, and at the box office at VOX Cinema, Mall of the Emirates.

With an abundance of critically acclaimed talent confirmed to appear at the festival, DIFF will present its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of the contributions of regional and international filmmakers to the industry. Four deserving pioneers of cinema will be recognised through this year’s DIFF Lifetime Achievement Award: French-Tunisian actor Sami Bouajila; veteran Egyptian actor Ezzat Al Alayli; legendary Indian actor Naseeruddin Shah; and the Grande Dame of French cinema, Catherine Deneuve.

DIFF’s Chairman, Abdulhamid Juma, commented on the ongoing importance of the Festival and the crucial individual contributions that aid in fostering the growth of cinema within the UAE and across the globe: “To be celebrating the 12th edition of DIFF is an incredible achievement and a testament to how much the festival has progressed on a global scale since its inception. This year, we are excited to see the city taken over by film once again, and to be able to bring new films and experiences to new audiences. DIFF also strives to nurture and foster growth in the industry and the festival has come to be recognised as a pillar for Arab cinema in the region. It is for this reason that the festival continues to attract the brightest directors and touch the hearts of more and more fans every year. It is also with great pride that we reward the contributions of the industry’s greatest icons with our Lifetime Achievement Award and we hope that budding filmmakers and actors alike can continue to be inspired by those who tread before them.”

Dubai Film Market (DFM), the region’s leading industry platform which runs throughout DIFF, is back stronger than ever. A cornerstone of the Festival, it creates new opportunities for filmmakers and film professionals to share their knowledge, make new connections and develop partnerships, enabling them the support they need to bring their projects to the big screen. This year, film fans and festival-goers will have the opportunity to attend panel discussions and masterclasses at DFM, including a conversation with Netflix Chief Content Officer, Ted Sarandos.

Further highlights of the 12th Festival include the IWC Filmmaker Award, which offers a US $100,000 cash prize to one winning filmmaker at an event hosted by ‘Supported By’ Sponsor and ‘Festival-Time’ Partner IWC Schaffhausen on Thursday, December 10th. Also carrying a $100,000 cash prize is the Ministry of Interior’s Cinema Award, which was established to identify and encourage talented scriptwriting that shines the spotlight on societal issues. The award will be presented at the Muhr Awards ceremony on the 16th at the Madinat Theatre.

DIFF will also partner with Dubai Cares for the fifth year in a row to present the Global Gift Gala as the official Charity Gala of DIFF, with honorary Chair Eva Longoria and Founders Alina Peralta and Maria Bravo. The Global Gift Gala will be supporting The Eva Longoria Foundation, Sunrise K Foundation and the Global Gift Foundation and takes place on December 12th.

Talent expected on the red carpet tomorrow night include:
Jacob Tremblay, Dev Patel, Richard Dreyfuss, Matt Brown, Ed Pressman, Tuba, Michael B. Jordan, Terrence J, Naseeruddin Shah, Catherine Deneuve, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Jacob Latimore, RedOne, Terrence Howard, Brillante Ma. Mendoza, Philippe Faucon, Deepa Mehta and Anu Menon.

Ahmed Al Jasmi, Jaber Naghmoush, Ibrahim AlHarbi,  Razika Al Taresh, Marwan Abdullah Saleh, Mariam Sultan, Reem Irhma, Saeed Salmeen Al-Murry, Ahd, Yasa Jumahh, Ezzat Al Alayli, Khaled El Nabawy, Possy, Mahmoud Hemida, Laila Elwi, Elham Shahin, Hend Sabry, Menna Shalabi, Mohamed Khan, Maged El Kedwany, Hana Shiha, Ahmed Dawood,  Hala Khalil, Medhat Saleh, Sherif Mounir, Hany Ramzy, Majed Al Masry, Latifa, Emy Sameer Gahnem, Waleed Toufic, Hany Abu-Assad, Merzak Allouache, Ali Suliman, Basil Khayat, Eyad Hourani, Qusay Khawly, Taim Hassan, Abed Fahad and Bassem Yakhour. 

The Dubai International Film Festival runs until December 16. Visit the DIFF box office at www.diff.ae. Additional information is also available through the Festival’s dedicated customer care number, 363 FILM (3456).