UAE filmmakers battle for recognition

Like everything else about the UAE, its film industry has grown at breakneck speed over the last five years, with the first Emirati feature film now being screened internationally – but Emirati directors feel much still needs to be done.

“We still face a battle to get recognition,” admits director Waleed Al Shehhi, whose work has won several awards at festivals around the region.

Al Shehhi was speaking in connection with the UAE’s participation at the 32nd Assilah Festival.

A variety of Emirati short films were screened in Morocco as part of a presentation by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage.

A total of nine short films were projected onto the walls of the old medina or city, dealing with subjects such as loss, hope and modernity.

Al Shehhi’s “Bab” (Door), a 19-minute drama about one man’s search for a piece of his childhood, drew the most enthusiastic response.

Also popular was Saeed Salman’s Bint Mariam – the story of a widowed young woman who goes on a journey of self-discovery.

While the screenings themselves were testament to just how far the industry has come, Al Shehhi said there remains much work to be done.

However, he said, “We help each other and of course festivals like this and the help of ADACH can make that struggle easier.”

Emirati artists, writers and intellectuals also attended. ADACH also is holding several workshops and art exhibitions, lectures and seminars at the event.

These will address the topics such as the book industry and publishing, including the Abu Dhabi Book Fair, Kitab, Qalam and the Sheikh Zayed Book Award.

The festival ends tomorrow, July 27.
 

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.