DIFF to focus on French films

France will be the focus of the Dubai International Film Festival's 2009 programme, announced officials of the DIFF at Cannes yesterday.

The official communiqué from the organisers said: "We will focus on a country widely credited as the birthplace of cinema, responsible for many of the most significant cinematic movements – with a long, rich and celebrated cinematic history. A country where the phrase "auteur" was given true meaning: France."

Masoud Amralla Ali Ali, Festival's Artistic Director, said: "We selected France as this year's focus because not only is it a nation steeped in cinema history, but it is also a nation that has continually supported Arab cinema through co-productions and we felt this needed to be recognised and commemorated. French films are taking centre stage around the world, rejuvenating cinema and positioning itself as a powerhouse of production."

France has had close ties with the Arab World for centuries and has developed complimentary interests as a result. Today at least five million Arabs live in France, which is by far Europe's biggest community.

In the world of film this has manifested itself through funding and long lasting support from French companies for Arab productions.
In return, since its inaugural event five years ago, and as part of its commitment to showcasing and celebrating the best of world cinema the DIFF has showcased some of the best in French/Arab cinema, most recently L'Aube du Monde (Dawn of the World) 2008 and Apres la Guerre, c'est Toujours la Guerre (After the war… ) 2007.

The DIFF's Lifetime Achievement Awards, a retrospective tribute that celebrates the world of influential filmmakers from the West, the Arab World and the East, last year honoured Rachid Bouchareb, an Algerian/French director for his unique narrative style and an illustrious cinema career that has helped many young Arab filmmakers learn the craft.

The DIFF in 2007 entered into a strategic alliance with the prestigious Cannes Producers Network by offering the producers of the three winning Dubai Film Connection (DFC) projects complimentary registration.

In addition to the above, the DFC in 2007 also included a grant from Arte France Cinema now in its third consecutive year.

Arte renewed its association with the DFC, an event that brings together international and Arab film professionals and as a concrete token of its support to productions from the Arab world, awards a €6000 "International Relations Arte Prize" to a project with outstanding originality, personal writing and consistency.

André de Margerie, Director of International Relations - Arte, said: "Arte is present in Cannes with 21 films, French, European and international co-productions highlighting its support to worldwide talents. It is with great pleasure that Arte renews its commitment to the Dubai Film Connection at the Dubai International Film Festival, an event of great quality bringing together international and Arab film professionals. We are also pleased that the 2009 edition of DIFF will include In Focus France, a cross-section of our most challenging and exciting cinema – exactly the kind of international relations that Arte espouses and that we hope to see more of in the future".

Alain Azouaou, French Ambassador to the UAE, said: "We are proud of the fact that the Dubai International Film Festival will spotlight the craftsmanship of some of our most recognised filmmakers for this year's edition. French cinema has maintained a significant share of the market and a high level of artistic quality, and In Focus France at DIFF 2009 is going to be an excellent opportunity for the UAE to sample cinematic offerings from one of the most established strongholds".

Shivani Pandya, Managing director of DIFF, said: "The In Focus France programme recognises the French and Arab industries' collaborations and celebrates the coming together of two cultures to produce thought provoking films. The support Arab filmmakers have received and continue to receive from the French film and television industry is tremendous and we hope that these collaborations continue well into the future."

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