Related story: Black Pearls shine as MEIFF wraps
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates -- One of the highlights of the inaugural Middle East International Film Festival was the Film Financing Committee, a networking event created to bring industry experts and decision makers together with emerging filmmakers in the region. One of the FFC programs was the InCircle Film Lab, designed to encourage and promote local talent. "We have raised more than $300,000 for the InCircle Film Lab," said FFC Conference director Adrienne Briggs, speaking of the United Arab Emirate Screenwriters Lab, which held a charity dinner last week.
"The UAE Screenwriters Lab will teach Emirati filmmakers writing and directing skills and will bring back many of these people as mentors," Briggs told The Hollywood Reporter. At a press conference during MEIFF, two Emirati filmmakers were awarded AED10,000 ($2,723). Fadhel Al Muhairi and Hani Shaibani both received the grant in recognition of their filmmaking talents.
"We are ready to embrace the emerging film industry here," said Emirates Film Competition director Abdalla Bastaki, as it was announced that the EFC, a local film competition that has been held in Abu Dhabi for the past six years, would be absorbed into MEIFF next year.
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates -- One of the highlights of the inaugural Middle East International Film Festival was the Film Financing Committee, a networking event created to bring industry experts and decision makers together with emerging filmmakers in the region. One of the FFC programs was the InCircle Film Lab, designed to encourage and promote local talent. "We have raised more than $300,000 for the InCircle Film Lab," said FFC Conference director Adrienne Briggs, speaking of the United Arab Emirate Screenwriters Lab, which held a charity dinner last week.
"The UAE Screenwriters Lab will teach Emirati filmmakers writing and directing skills and will bring back many of these people as mentors," Briggs told The Hollywood Reporter. At a press conference during MEIFF, two Emirati filmmakers were awarded AED10,000 ($2,723). Fadhel Al Muhairi and Hani Shaibani both received the grant in recognition of their filmmaking talents.
"We are ready to embrace the emerging film industry here," said Emirates Film Competition director Abdalla Bastaki, as it was announced that the EFC, a local film competition that has been held in Abu Dhabi for the past six years, would be absorbed into MEIFF next year.
- 10/22/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates -- Harvey Weinstein will open the Film Financing Circle at the inaugural Middle East International Film Festival.
After several weeks of speculation, the Miramax co-founder and Weinstein Co. co-chief has been revealed as the "big name" keynote speaker who will kick-start the high-powered film networking event, the first of its kind in the Middle East.
Weinstein will launch the program with a speech on the state of international co-productions.
The FFC program is set for Oct. 15-17 at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi and will encompass several events designed to connect international financiers, film executives and producers from around the world. The FFC aims to create opportunities for the region's burgeoning film industry and raise the profile of Abu Dhabi as it seeks to place itself firmly on the international film scene.
"I'm delighted to have Harvey kick off the conference. He epitomizes the international power players Abu Dhabi would like to partner with," conference director Adrienne Briggs said.
After several weeks of speculation, the Miramax co-founder and Weinstein Co. co-chief has been revealed as the "big name" keynote speaker who will kick-start the high-powered film networking event, the first of its kind in the Middle East.
Weinstein will launch the program with a speech on the state of international co-productions.
The FFC program is set for Oct. 15-17 at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi and will encompass several events designed to connect international financiers, film executives and producers from around the world. The FFC aims to create opportunities for the region's burgeoning film industry and raise the profile of Abu Dhabi as it seeks to place itself firmly on the international film scene.
"I'm delighted to have Harvey kick off the conference. He epitomizes the international power players Abu Dhabi would like to partner with," conference director Adrienne Briggs said.
- 10/8/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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