Dubai, December 11, 2007 - The Kite Runner, the highly anticipated film adaptation of the best-selling novel, directed by Marc Forster (Finding Neverland, Monster's Ball) will close this year's prestigious 4th Dubai International Film Festival 2007 on December 16, it was announced today.
 
The closing night event will be attended by author Khaled Hosseini and the film's key cast including Khalid Abdalla  (United 93), Homayoun Ershadi, Zekiria Ebrahami, Ali Danesh Bakhtyari, Ahmad Khan Mahmoodzada and Sayed Jafar Massihullah and producers William Horberg, Walter F. Parkes, Rebecca Yeldham and E. Bennett Walsh. Executive producer Laurie MacDonald will also be in attendance.
 
Megan Colligan, EVP Marketing and Publicity, from Paramount Vantage said: "We are honoured that The Kite Runner has been selected to close the Dubai International Film Festival, and we are proud to share this film with a global audience."
 
Based on one of the most acclaimed novels in recent memory, The Kite Runner is a profoundly emotional tale of friendship, family, devastating mistakes and redeeming love. In a divided country on the verge of war, two childhood friends, Amir and Hassan, are about to be torn apart forever.  It's a glorious afternoon in Kabul and the skies are bursting with the exhilarating joy of a kite-fighting tournament.  But in the aftermath of the day's victory, one boy's fearful act of betrayal will mark their lives forever and set in motion an epic quest for redemption. Now, after 20 years of living in America, Amir returns to a perilous Afghanistan under the Taliban's iron-fisted rule to face the secrets that still haunt him and take one last daring chance to set things right. DreamWorks Pictures, Sidney Kimmel Entertainment and Participant Productions present The Kite Runner, a Sidney Kimmel Entertainment Production and Parkes/MacDonald Production released by Paramount Classics.

Khaled Hosseini's novel has sold over eight million copies in more than 34 countries, topping bestseller lists globally since it was first released in 2003. 
 
-Ends- 

NOTES TO EDITORS: 
The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), held from December 9 -16 December 2007, has hosted a record number of World Premieres this year and has included 16 shorts, documentaries and features from all over the world, including the Middle East, India and Africa. Since its first edition in 2004, DIFF has also established itself as an important cultural event in Dubai and the UAE.

About DIFF: 
The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) was launched in December 2004 under the theme: Bridging Cultures. Meeting Minds.

DIFF is held under the honorary Chairmanship of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum. DIFF is a not-for-profit cultural event, presented and organised by the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Authority.

As the previous editions of DIFF have demonstrated, the Festival not only presents cinematic excellence from around the world, but is also an important high-profile platform for aspiring home-grown talent.

"Bridging Cultures. Meeting Minds," has been hailed by all as a unique and relevant theme to promote better understanding and mutual respect between different communities and countries.

Since its inception, DIFF has become an important meeting point for international and regional filmmakers and industry professionals setting the foundation for potential future collaborations.

The past three editions of DIFF have presented more than 250 films, documentaries and shorts from more than 48 countries.

DIFF 2006
In 2006 the festival took place at the magnificent Madinat Jumeirah resort. As a further commitment of DIFF's endeavours to facilitate greater opportunities for regional Arab talent, the Muhr Awards was launched. Another first for DIFF in 2006 was the setting up of the Industry Office, which was established with a view to exclusively assist the needs of all registered delegates.

DIFF 2007
The fourth edition of the Dubai International Film Festival will take place from December 9-16 and will present the best of Arab and international cinema in the feature film, shorts and documentary formats. Building on the success of last year, DIFF 2007 will also host the Muhr Awards and the Industry Office with new features.

For any further information and regular updates on DIFF 2007 please log on to www.dubaifilmfest.com

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

For Further Information Contact
Kate Lee, Freud Communications
+44 20 3003 6349 kate@freud.com
Bethan Dixon, Paramount Vantage
+1 323 892 6955 bethan.dixon@paramountvantage.com

© Press Release 2007