Mohammed Assaf biopic ‘The Idol’ among winners at Dubai International Film Festival

Amna Al Nowais wins the Muhr Emirati Best Short award for her film Omnia. All photos by Sarah Dea / The National

DUBAI // A film based on the life of Palestinian Arab Idol winner Mohammed Assaf was among the winners at the closing ceremony of this year’s Dubai Film Festival.

Hany Abu Assad's The Idol took home the People's Choice Award, which is decided upon by public vote.

And in the coveted Muhr Feature category, which recognises filmmakers from the Arab world, Tunisia's Leyla Bouzid claimed Best Fiction Film for As I Open My Eyes.

But the loudest applause of the evening was reserved for Best Muhr Non-Fiction Feature-winning documentary We Have Never Been Kids, with Mahmood Soliman also called to the stage to accept the award for Best Director.

Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed presented Lotfi Abdelli with the Best Actor trophy, for his role in Borders of Heaven, whilst the Best Actress honour went to Nawara star Menna Shalabi.

Both nominees and winners showcase the diversity of the festival, said Oscar-nominated filmmaker Deepa Mehta, who chaired the Muhr Feature category.

“It was so inspiring to see the integrity and commitment of the female directors this festival has chosen to showcase.

“We would like to salute filmmakers who dare to make a difference and the institutions that dare to screen them, such as Diff.”

The Muhr Awards have been a fixture at Diff since 2006, offering a rare platform for Arab filmmakers to shine and compete regionally.

In the Muhr Emirati category, which recognises Emirati talent, Best Emirati Feature went to Saeed Salmeen's Going to Heaven, while Nasser Aldhaheri was named Best Director for documentary A Tale of Water, Palm Trees and Family.

Omnia won best Muhr Emirati Short. Director Amna Al Nowais thanked Abu Dhabi’s Image Nation and twofour54 for “consistently supporting Arab cinema”.

She said: “I’m particularly aware of the privilege we have to be in an environment where there is this support for film production.” Emirati filmmaker Abdullah Ahmed scored a $100,000 (Dh367,000) developmental prize, winning the Ministry of Interior Award for Best Societal Screenplay.

Elsewhere Basil Khalil picked up Best Muhr Short for Ave Maria, while Faiza Ambah won the category's Special Jury Prize for Mariam.

Best Muhr Gulf Short went to The Boss, by Rizgar Husen, while Hind Al Fahhad won the category's Special Jury Prize for Peddiers.

Closing festivities were a success despite competition from neighbouring emirate Abu Dhabi, which held the regional premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, with hundreds of film fans streaming into Madinat Arena for final screening The Big Short.

The annual event, in its 12th year, was only declared a wrap following a glamourous after-party at SkyDive Dubai’s Zero Gravity, featuring a live performance from Mr Bombastic himself, Shaggy.

It was the culmination of another successful festival, said Diff chairman Abdulhamid Juma.

“Over the past eight days we have seen film unite the community and bring together people from all walks of life and from all over the world,” Mr Juma said.

Some of those people would have been more familiar than others, with actor Jake Gyllenhaal in town to be presented with entertainment magazine Variety’s International Star of the Year Award.

Charming the appreciative audience at an intimate In Conversation event, at Madinat Theatre, the 34-year-old Hollywood heavyweight declared his love to one fan, agreed to pose for a picture with another, and accepted artwork from a third audience member that celebrated his most memorable roles.

“What, there are other festivals?” joked the star.