Nine government departments have joined hands to make the inaugural Dubai International Film Festival a success.
Organisers of the festival, which runs from December 6 to 11, said the support of the Dubai Government departments has been crucial in setting up the extravaganza.
The officials praised departments ranging from Dubai Civil Aviation to Dubai Tourism for bending over backwards to help ensure the six-day extravaganza is a top draw.
At least six of the approximately 75 films that are being shown at the festival – including Super Size Me, The Motorcycle Diaries and Le Grand Voyage – have won major international awards.
“The support of the Dubai Government and Federal Government is invaluable,” said Abdul Hamid Juma, chief executive of Dubai Media City, which is hosting the festival.
“We are all committed to making the festival a safe, exciting and rewarding experience for all festival visitors and for Dubai and the UAE, and working together helps us to accomplish all our goals.”
The Dubai Government has helped with everything from paramedic services to customs clearance and managing entry requirements, organisers said.
Mohammad Kahoor, director of the festival’s government relations and festival security team, said all the government departments had been very helpful in recent months.
“Everyone has certainly been going the extra mile. We want to provide the best possible experience for all participants, from the minute visitors land at the airport,” he said.
The Ministry of Education is overseeing student volunteers from the Zayed University and Higher Colleges of Technology.
“This is a lifetime experience for the students, especially with the exposure they will get to the international film industry,” Kahoor said. Of the approximately 75 films being shown at DIFF, more than 50 are feature films.
Festival director Neil Stephenson said having so many award-winning films was a reflection of the world-class programmers recruited to select movies.
“You do not get films of this stature just by paying for them. Producers and sales agents have to be persuaded of factors beyond money, and to a considerable extent it is the reputation of the programmer that can swing things one way or another,” he said.
Movie magic
- Departments that have taken part in preparations include Dubai Civil Aviation, Dubai Ports and Customs, Dubai Police, Dubai Civil Defence, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority and Dubai Municipality.
- The Department of Health and Medical Services, Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department and the Ministry of Education also assisted organisers.
- The departments have helped with ensuring clearance of film prints and special equipment from overseas, ensuring security and providing emergency health services. Officials also supplied back-up generators, agreed to help visitors with tourist information and eased traffic flows.
Gulf News
