Honouring Sir Ben Kingsley, three international film producers and esteemed Arab director - Nacer Khemir.
Abu Dhabi, In line with the Middle East International Film Festival's (MEIFF) objective of advancing the development and creation of social and humanitarian cinema, MEIFF organisers - the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) -presented five special Tribute Awards to industry giants yesterday evening at Emirates Palace.
Sir Ben Kingsley was presented with an Honorary Black Pearl Award for Cross Cultural Contributions to Cinema by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Khalid bin Sultan Al Nahyan,
In his best-known film role to date - Gandhi - Sir Ben is a guest of the festival on the occasion of the inaugural Middle East screening of the first Arabic-dubbed version of the film.
"Mahatma Gandhi's message of peace was universal, and as the messenger of this intention in the film, Sir Ben Kingsley has immortalised this great man for generations to come," said MEIFF's Vice Chairman and ADACH's Director General, His Excellency Mohamed Khalaf Al Mazrouei.
"With the Arabic dub of Gandhi now on screens, it is hoped that Sir Ben's intimate portrayal of one of the world's truly charismatic leaders will reach across national and language barriers, inspiring an entirely new generation of regional cinema audiences."
For the very first time, MEIFF also honoured three international film producers - for their commitment to the development and production of socially-responsible cinema.
Jeff Skoll - former President and co-founder of ebay - has utilised the wealth this position gave him to fund the independent LA-based movie production company, Participant Productions. The company was instrumental in funding what they term 'The Ghandi Project' - with Skoll's support Gandhi was dubbed using Palestinian voice actors and will be screened throughout Palestine to promote non-violence, self-reliance, economic development and empowerment.
As Chairman of National Geographic Films, who yesterday announced a multi-year deal with Abu Dhabi's Imagenation, Jake Ebert is known for his risk-taking and production of consistently high-calibre movies. These include the award-winning Chariots of Fire, Ghandi and Dances with Wolves. He was awarded with the Order of Canada in 1992 and to date he has been associated with films garnering 66 Oscar nominations, including nine for Best Picture.
Kamran Elahian, Chairman and co-founder of Global Catalyst Partners, actively seeks out visionary entrepreneurial leaders with innovative, competitive ideas - an ideal partner for Abu Dhabi and its vision for the bright global and regional film industry future.
To conclude the evening, a Tribute Dinner was held in L'Auberge Restaurant at Emirates Palace dedicated to Tunisian director Nacer Khemir. In recognition of Khemir's unequivocal contribution to the development of Arab cinema, His Excellency Mohamed Khalaf Al Mazrouei presented him with a special MEIFF tribute award.
Khemir's seminal film Tawq Al-Hamama Al-Mafqoud (The Dove's Lost Necklace) is being screened throughout this year's festival programme.
MEIFF's Director, Nashwa Al Ruwaini said the decision to present these leading industry figures with tribute awards for their significant contributions to cinema was a natural one.
"We believe truthful messages should always be continued across generations, and that film is an important medium for the message of understanding. It is our aim with the presentation of these special tribute awards to revive an interest in the importance of communication between cultures through cinema, and to highlight MEIFF's role within that paradigm."
A celebration of cinema, dedicated to bringing a diverse programme of international films to the UAE's unique multicultural community, MEIFF 2008 will run from the 10th to 19th October on Friday 10th October with an expanded 10-day festival programme.
- Ends -
Editors Notes
For interviews with Filmmakers attending please contact :
Gala films/ Special Presentation Cinema Verite: Hana Al-Hirsi (hana@meiff.com) and Stephen Lan (Lan.Stephen@sympatico.ca)
Special Presentation films:
Claudia Rische (Rische@bs-pr.de) & Gunnar Gilgen (Gilgen@bs-pr.de)
In Competition Feature films: Claudia Rische (and Gunnar Gilgen
In Competition Documentary films: Julie Trinchero (Julie@meiff.com)
In Competition Shorts: Abuzar "Z" Ikkery (z@meiff.com)
In Competition Students: Julie Trinchero (Julie@meiff.com)
Festival of Festivals films: Stephen Lan and Abuzar "Z" Ikkery
Environment films: Sonya Adelman (Sonya@meiff.com)
Arab Women Directors films: Rahma Rachdi (Rahma@meiff.com)
Retrospective films: Sonya Adelman (Sonya@meiff.com)
Online Press Centre information
Materials including filmmaker's biographies and filmographies, still images from the film, and
trailers are available for press use. These materials will be available to the press in hard copies
as well as online. Each accredited press member will be given the login code in order to access
the files from our website. Photographs from each event will also be available for download.http://www.meiff.com/page.aspx?id=press_login
Username: meiff_press
Password: press4meiff08
Box Office information:
All films being shown at Emirates Palace are free. Tickets for films at other venues start from ten Dirhams each, excluding the Opening & Closing night galas. An all-screenings festival pass is available for 100 Dirhams.
To purchase by phone, please call 02 681 5270 between 12pm and 10pm daily. Tickets can also be purchased online via the festival website www.meiff.com.
Emirates Palace Main Box Office - 12:00 - 22:00
Main Lobby Entrance
West End Corniche
Cultural Foundation (ADACH) - 10:00 - 18:00
Main Lobby
Khalidiya Street (Opposite Al Muhairy Centre)
Cinestar Cinemas in Marina Mall - 12:00 - 22:00
Marina Mall
Corniche Road, Breakwater
Grand Cinema in Abu Dhabi Mall - 12:00 - 22:00
Abu Dhabi Mall
Tourist Club Area
About MEIFF TV
MEIFF TV is a 24-hour TV station broadcasting 24 hours a day on Nile Sat and Arab Sat. A large
screen will be broadcasting the station in the Press Centre. The frequencies for the channel are
as follows:
NILESAT W3A @ 7 West
Frequency: 11919 Mhz Horizontal/ SR: 27500/ FEC 3/4
ARABSAT W3A @ 26 EAST
Frequency: 11804 Mhz Horizontal/ SR: 27500/ FEC: 3/4
For more information, plese contact:
Doha Al Wazany
Action UAE - Abu Dhabi
Mobile: +971 50 662 7930
Email: doha.w@actionprgroup.com
© Press Release 2008
