Royal nod for Abu Dhabi film conference

An Abu Dhabi talking shop has drawn filmmakers’ interest from around the world, with over 600 industry delegates scheduled to attend this week’s Circle Conference in the capital.

The event runs from October 13 to 15 and is an initiative of Abu Dhabi Film Commission (ADFC). It is being held the Intercontinental Hotel in Abu Dhabi.

Over 600 people have registered from 30 countries, ADFC Director David Shepheard said. “Added to this over 200 students from around the UAE will make this conference the best in its history,” he said.

Delegates will sit in on panels debating the path ahead for the region’s film industry. An opening day session features HRH Princess Rym Ali of Jordan, a Board Member of the Royal Film Commission – Jordan, and the Founder of the Jordan Media Institute. She will chair the panel, “Success Stories From the Middle East – Focus on Jordan” at the 2010 Circle Conference on Wednesday.

The panel will highlight the amount of international production that has taken place in Jordan and the support provided by the government and regional business.

The “Success Stories From the Middle East” panel will include Nicolas Chartier, Oscar-winning producer of The Hurt Locker and the President of Voltage Pictures; George David, General Manager of the Royal Film Commission – Jordan; Fadi Sarraf, President of Sandbag Productions; and Lara Nasri Atalla, Casting Director for Lara Atalla Casting.

The panel will look closely at film productions in Jordan including “The Hurt Locker”, the challenges and opportunities surrounding filming in the Middle East, and the changing role of private and public agencies supporting the film industry in Jordan and across the Middle East. The panel is part of the increased participation at the Circle Conference this year from film professionals across the Middle East, with keynotes and panelists from Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, Egypt and multiple Arabic-language sessions.

ADFC Director David Shepheard, said “ADFC is proud to welcome HRH Princess Rym Ali to the Circle Conference. We expect this panel and other sessions at the Circle to shine a unique spotlight on the outstanding progress made by our neighbors in Jordan and elsewhere in attracting major film productions to the Arab world, providing public support for the cinematic arts and developing all the other tools necessary to help make the Middle East a focal point for the global film business.”
 

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.