Dubai, November 29, 2006: The box office for the third annual Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) opened today, with six locations and a dedicated call centre for movie lovers to buy tickets to screenings, panel discussions with key industry figures, and special events.

Tickets can also be purchased online through the festival's website at www.dubaifilmfest.com; the website is a valuable source of information for all things DIFF, including trailers of select films, synopses of all the festival's offerings, schedules, venue information and festival news.

New to the DIFF's 2006 run is the DIFF Club Card, an incentive program designed in association with CineStar Cinemas that offers discounts and other perks to members.

With the purchase of two tickets, customers can enroll in the program and receive 15 percent off all DIFF merchandise and receive regular email updates on all DIFF Gala Films and ticket availability.

If 10 or more tickets are purchased at once, customers are eligible for the DIFF Club Classic card, which carries the additional benefits of AED 5 off each additional ticket purchased, priority seating for all DIFF screenings at CineStar Mall of the Emirates, a 25 percent discount on food and beverage at select Madinat Jumeirah outlets, and a free DIFF Festival Guide.

Customers who purchase 25 or more tickets at once are automatically entered to win a draw for a selection of Gold Class tickets from CineStar Cinemas, the winner of which will be announced on the festival website on December 17.

Shivani Pandya, Managing Director of DIFF, spoke about the new program: "Besides making ticket purchases easy and convenient, we want to reward our customers to show our appreciation for their continued support of our event, which would not be the success that it is today without them. In coming years, we hope to expand the Club Card program into a year-round initiative that will create the foundation for a community of film afficionados here in Dubai."

DIFF tickets can be purchased via three different methods:

In person: box offices are located at:

CineStar Deira City Centre

November 30-December 17: 11 am to 10 pm

CineStar Mall of the Emirates

November 30-December 10: 11 am to 10 pm

December 11-December 17: 10 am to 11 pm

The Madinat Theatre at the Souk Madinat Jumeirah

November 30-December 10: 11 am to 10 pm

December 11-December 17: 10 am to 11 pm

Madinat Arena:

  • December 8-10: 11 am to 10 pm

  • December 11-17: 10 am to 11 pm

  • Dubai Media City Building 2, lobby

  • November 30-December 10: 11 am to 6 pm

  • December 11-December 17: 10 am to 8 pm

  • Dubai Media City Amphitheatre (for Screen on the Green outdoor screenings only)

  • December 11-December 16: 6 pm to 8:30 pm

Phone: the DIFF phone sales line can be reached on 04 367-6701.

November 30-December 10: 10 am to 8 pm

December 11-December 17: 9 am to 10 pm

Internet: Visit the festival website at www.dubaifilmfest.com for sales via Visa and Mastercard.

If a screening is sold out, there is still the option of the 'Stand By' queue, where patrons can buy tickets for any seats left unfilled 15 minutes prior to show time. Festival organizers insist that show times are firm and latecomers will not be admitted.

For prices for tickets, panel discussions, and special events, please consult the film festival website at www.dubaifilmfest.com. All venues are wheelchair accessible, and customer service staff can answer any concerns as to content and ratings.

DIFF will run for 8 days from December 10 to 17, 2006.

-Ends-

About The Dubai International Film Festival
In 2004, a new festival joined the ranks of the world's international film festivals. Using the powerful medium of film to serve as a platform for inter-cultural dialogue and an instrument of global understanding, the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) launched with its theme of 'Bridging Cultures. Meeting Minds.'

Going into its third year, the DIFF is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and under the Chairmanship of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum. The DIFF is a not-for-profit cultural event, presented and organized by the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Authority.

DIFF showcases a wide selection of features, shorts and documentaries, from around the world, reflecting Dubai's cosmopolitan and multi-cultural character. The festival further seeks to celebrate excellence in Arab and world cinema by screening a repertoire of critically acclaimed and award winning films.

Located at the crossroads of East and West, and one of the world's fastest growing business and tourist destinations, Dubai provides an ideal meeting point for industry friends and colleagues from around the globe. The array of panel discussions at DIFF instigates a healthy exchange of ideas among a group of progressive film industry professionals, and the networking initiatives hosted by DIFF provide a setting conducive to business.

In both its previous editions, the festival has attracted the attendance of prominent industry figures, including filmmakers and talent from as many as 46 different countries. Several past DIFF guests are currently scouting locations in Dubai for their new film projects.

DIFF 2005
Last year, DIFF took place from December 11 to 17, against the magnificent backdrop of the Madinat Jumeirah Arabian Resort. The festival's registration figures increased dramatically and the audience grew from approximately 18,000 in 2004 to over 30,000 in 2005. The 2005 festival showcased 98 films from 46 different countries, which included 22 Gulf premieres, 38 Middle East premieres, 7 International premieres and 6 World premieres.

DIFF 2006
The third edition of DIFF takes place from the 10 to 17 December, 2006. For information on this year's festival, please visit the website www.dubaifilmfest.com.

For further information, please contact:
Majid Wasi
Account Manager
Jiwin
Tel:  +9714 361 3333
Fax: +9714 368 8001
Email: majid.wasi@jiwin.ae

© Press Release 2006