The Muhr Emirati, the section of Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) dedicated to short films from local talent, has doubled in size this year. Organisers say that the increase in submissions and selections reflects a rise in the quality and quantity of national filmmakers.
“This year’s Muhr Emirati field demonstrates growing confidence and skill in our local artists,” says Masoud Amralla Al Ali, the festival’s artistic director. “With more training facilities and funding opportunities available, a genuine cinema community has grown in the UAE and with it the film industry will continue to make steady progression.”
The Muhr Emiratis were introduced to the programme in 2010 with 14 films from UAE nationals. They were initially brought in to round out the festival’s Muhr Arab and Muhr Asia/Africa competitions but now, they stand out alone.
“Since DIFF’s inception, we have consistently cultivated local talent and become established as an important launching pad for new films,” says Al Ali. “We are proud that at our 10th edition we can present the fruits of those efforts in our most competitive Muhr Emirati field to date.”
The shortlisted films include Nayla Al Khaja’s The Neighbour and Don’t Judge a Subject by its Photograph by Ali Mostafa – both of whom have received international acclaim for their feature films.
There is also The Brain that Sings by Amal Al-Agroobi, which follows the tale of two boys with autism and measures the impact of three months of music therapy on their behaviour, Red, Blue, Yellow by Nujoom Al Ghanem is an intimate portrait of the well-known Emirati artist Najat Makki and Abdullah Aljunaibi and Humaid Alawadi’s Bahar is about a man’s search for his missing son.
All entries will compete for a Dh50,000 prize for best film as well as the Special Jury Prize (Dh35,000) and an award for best director (Dh25,000).
• DIFF will take place from Friday to December 14. The Muhr Awards finalists will be announced at the festival’s closing ceremony
* Anna Seaman
aseaman@thenational.ae
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The biog
Alwyn Stephen says much of his success is a result of taking an educated chance on business decisions.
His advice to anyone starting out in business is to have no fear as life is about taking on challenges.
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Mr Stephen sells his luxury fragrances at selected perfumeries around the UAE, including the House of Niche Boutique in Al Seef.
He relaxes by spending time with his family at home, and enjoying his wife’s India cooking.
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Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Full name: Aisha Abdulqader Saeed
Age: 34
Emirate: Dubai
Favourite quote: "No one has ever become poor by giving"
The Perfect Couple
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Creator: Jenna Lamia
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Jawan
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Following fashion
Investing is cyclical, buying last year's winners often means holding this year's losers.
Losing your balance
You end up with too much exposure to an individual company or sector that has taken your fancy.
Being over active
If you chop and change your portfolio too often, dealing charges will eat up your gains.
Running your losers
Investors hate admitting mistakes and hold onto bad stocks hoping they will come good.
Selling in a panic
If you sell up when the market drops, you have locked yourself out of the recovery.
Timing the market
Even the best investor in the world cannot consistently call market movements.
The biog
DOB: March 13, 1987
Place of birth: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia but lived in Virginia in the US and raised in Lebanon
School: ACS in Lebanon
University: BSA in Graphic Design at the American University of Beirut
MSA in Design Entrepreneurship at the School of Visual Arts in New York City
Nationality: Lebanese
Status: Single
Favourite thing to do: I really enjoy cycling, I was a participant in Cycling for Gaza for the second time this year
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THE SPECS
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 258hp at 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,550-4,400rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.4L/100km
Price, base: from D215,000 (Dh230,000 as tested)
On sale: now
FA Cup quarter-final draw
The matches will be played across the weekend of 21 and 22 March
Sheffield United v Arsenal
Newcastle v Manchester City
Norwich v Derby/Manchester United
Leicester City v Chelsea
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
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