An Emirati filmmaker says the industry is in dire need of an established film infrastructure if cinema from the UAE is to hold its own on the world stage.

Despite the success of “City of Life”, the first full-length feature film to be produced in the UAE, he says much more remains to be done.

“I feel the country is in desperate need of production and distribution companies. More companies and entities are needed in investing film either by providing or cutting costs in film equipment especially when it comes to film stock,” director Khalid Mahmood told Emirates 24|7.

Mahmood hit the headlines recently when his 20-minute short, "Sabeel", had its world premiere at the Locarno International Film Festival earlier this month. It was the first Emirati film to be screened at the 64-year-old Swiss festival.

It competed with several European and international films at the event in the  Pardi Di Domani (Leopards of Tomorrow) section.

“We also need distributors to take a strong interest in Emirati cinema,” he added, pointing out that even “City of Life” faced several obstacles along the road to a general release in theatres across the UAE. “The current players in the field of film distribution aren’t interested in Emirati films at all.”

"Sabeel", which has been largely shot in Ras Al Khaimah and won second place for best Emirati script at this year’s Gulf Film Festival, tells the story of two boys who spend their day growing and harvesting vegetables that they can sell by the side of a highway to raise money for their sick grandmother’s medicines.

The film explores their lives and environment, and how the road that provides them a living will determine their fate.

Mahmood said he spent a total of about Dh140,000 to cover all the film’s costs, with a fair amount of support from the Emirates Foundation.

“I was hoping to raise Dh200,000 to shoot on 35mm but unfortunately I was unable to find extra backers for the film. It is not easy; there aren’t a lot of companies that will support short films in the UAE,” he said, spotlighting the other major problem facing young talent in the country.

“Other entities either requested more tedious work which I felt unnecessary for a simple film like this and was taking too much time, or they had a specific programme that I had to follow fully supervised throughout the whole process – but both types refused outside support from other sources than themselves. We definitely missing a film fund that supports local films.”

With few Emirati films making it onto the world stage, Mahmood was upbeat about having had “Sabeel” accepted into the competition at Locarno.

“To have a film screened at the Locarno Film Festival is proud moment not only for me, but to all the people who have worked on the film. We are also proud at being able to represent the UAE at the festival.

“It has also set a standard to meet and hopefully overcome in any festival of its calibre if we are expected reach the level of world cinema and be recognised.”

Yet, despite competing with some of the best shorts in the world, he said audience reaction had been positive.

Distribution for shorts is limited, he said, and the best case scenario would be for “Sabeel” to be put on a DVD with other shorts.

“I think we’ve been able to create a buzz about Emirati cinema with this film,” he said, adding that he hopes to have it screened at more festivals.

He is now also hoping to begin work on a full-length feature, which he says has been inspired by community life in the UAE.
 
Awards

The festival closed on Saturday, with its main prize, the Golden Leopard, going to a Chinese film for the second year in a row.

Li Hongqi’s coming-of-age tale, “Han Jia” (Winter Vacation), took the award, while "Morgen," a border drama set on the boundary between Romania and Hungary from Marian Crisan, won a Special Jury Prize.

Denis Cote was given the Prize of the City and Region of Locarno for Best Director for the Canadian thriller "Curling," Emmanuel Bilodeau, the male lead in "Curling," was named best actor, and Jasna Duricic Best Actress for her work in "Beli Belisvet" (White White World) from Serbian director Oleg Novkovic.

The Filmmakers of the Present prize was won by "Paraboles" from France's Emmanuelle Demoris; the award for Best Short Film to "A History of Mutual Respect" from Portugal's Gabriel Abrantes and Daniel Schmidt; and the award for Best First Feature to "Foreign Parts," a Franco-American co-production from Verena Paravel and JP Sniadecki.

Singaporean director Eric Khoo headed up the jury.