On October 24, the Abu Dhabi Film Festival (ADFF) will kick off its seventh edition. A number of Arab films will have their world premiere in the festival.
This year, two world premieres of Arab-produced films feature in the Showcase category. One is the long-awaited UAE production Djinn, directed by the American Tobe Hooper and produced by Abu Dhabi-based ImageNation. The second premiere is Peace After Marriage by Ghazi Albulivi and Bandar Al Buliwi.
The festival also welcomes back the acclaimed actress Hiam Abbas, who will receive a Black Pearl Career Achievement Award for her outstanding performance.
The Documentary category includes four Arab films: Hanging Dates Under Aleppo's Citadel by Lebanon's Mohammed Soueid, Cairo Drive by Egypt's Sherief Elkatsha, El Gort by Tunisia's Hamza Ouni and Whispers of the Cities by Iraq's Kasim Abid.
In the Narrative category, four out of 15 production originates from the Middle East. Among them are My Sweet Pepper Land by Hiner Saleem (produced with the help of SANAD funding) and Rags and Tatters by Ahmed Abdallah.
In the category of New Horizon: Giraffada directed by Palestinian Rani Massalha will be screened along with Bastardo by Tunisian director Nejib Belkadhi. Abu Dhabi is the first audience to see Bastardo since its world premiere in Toronto.
The festival ends on November 2.
For more of Arts&Life's coverage of the festival, visit www.thenational.ae/adff
Profile of Bitex UAE
Date of launch: November 2018
Founder: Monark Modi
Based: Business Bay, Dubai
Sector: Financial services
Size: Eight employees
Investors: Self-funded to date with $1m of personal savings
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German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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