Arab filmmaking promoted in Europe.

The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) has partnered up with the San Sebastian International Film Festival in a bid to promote Arab filmmakers in Europe  

DIFF’s co production market, the Dubai Film Connection (DFC) has partnered with its counterpart, Cinema In Motion at the San Sebastian Film Festival, which supports feature films in the last leg of filming or in the post production stage, from developing Arab countries including Libya, Morocco, Egypt and Iraq.

DIFF has sponsored an award of €5,000 towards post-production and an invitation to the Dubai Film Connection for additional networking with the international film community. As previously reported, the first recipient at this year’s Cinema In Motion was Moroccon filmmaker Leila Kilani for her film On The Plank.

As part of the deal, San Sebastian will promote the Dubai Film Connection to the Spanish and European film industry, particularly companies interested in Arab films and filmmakers. In return, DIFF will recommend potential projects for the Cinema In Motion section.

Shivani Pandya, managing director of DIFF said the festival was “committed to expand the reach of Arab films and filmmakers globally, and our collaboration with the San Sebastian International Film Festival will further establish our imprint in Europe and enable us to promote Arab talent to a wider audience. The reciprocal relationship is also a indicator of growing global Arab interest in Arab cinema.”

Mikel Olaciregui, Director of the San Sebastian International Film Festival, added that it was “an honour to partner with a platform as prestigious as DIFF that is committed to promoting Arab films and filmmakers.”

The seventh edition of Dubai International Film Festival 2010 will run from December 12 to 19.

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