DIFF to become film market and training ground for filmmakers

Dubai, Sept. 16th, 2007(WAM)- - The Dubai International FilmFestival (DIFF) has introduced a number of new initiatives forits Industry Office, including a project market, a producer'straining program, and a screenwriting master class.

The DIFF Industry Office has been designed to provide a platformfor information exchange and share of best practice between Arabfilmmakers and the International film making community.

The Dubai Film Connection premiering this year is the first featurefilm project market in the UAE committed to bridging culturesby bringing international film professionals into contact withthe Arab filmmaking community.

Dubai Film Connection links distributors with Arab filmmakerssearching for funding. Ten projects at an advanced stage of developmentwill be selected by an international panel of filmmakers.

The selection of the projects will be based on recommendationsby leading film organizations such as ART of Saudi Arabia, GoodNews Group of Egypt, Royal Film Commission of Jordan, SundanceInstitute of USA, Meda Films Development of Morocco, World CinemaFund, Berlinale of Germany and Producers Network at Cannes amongstothers.

DIFF has entered into a strategic alliance with the prestigiousCannes Producers Network. The Dubai Film Connectionhas, till date received recommendations from 107 filmmakers from18 different countries.

Another new initiative is the Professional Coaching for Producers,a pioneering training course created in conjunction with theEuropean Audiovisual Entrepreneurs (EAVE).

The program will feature plenary sessions, meetings, expertpanels and case studies on various topics such as script development,legal issues, budgeting, marketing and distribution.

Other important industry office partnerships include ShowtimeArabia sponsoring a first time comedy master class as well asproduction make-up workshop presented by MAC.

The Industry Office was introduced in 2006, and hosted industryguests from some of the most esteemed industry companies, includingArteFrance, Fox Searchlight, BBC Films, Jordan's Royal Film Commission,Sundance Film Festival, Cannes Festival, and the Weinstein Company.

The Dubai International Film Festival will run from December9 to 16, 2007.