Dubai Film Connection - December 13-17, 2008
| Awards | The Application Process | How to apply |
In 2007 Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) launched a co-production market - the Dubai Film Connection (DFC) – as part of its ongoing commitment to raising the visibility of Arab filmmakers and stimulating the growth of film production emanating from the Arab World.
Fifteen feature and documentary projects from Arab filmmakers from around the world were selected and presented to an invited guest list of 80 international industry professionals including:
Films Distribution – France, Fortissimo Films – Hong Kong/Netherlands, Rhombus Media Inc. – Canada, Cinetic Media,– USA, The World Cinema Fund – Germany, ART – Saudi Arabia, Showtime Arabia – UAE, Arte Cinema - France, Channel Four - UK, CNC – France, BBC Films – UK, Al Jazeera – Qatar, SBS – Australia, MBC – UAE, Hubert Bals Fund- Netherlands, Memento Films – France, Rotana – Saudi Arabia
The Dubai Film Connection focuses on bridging cultures by bringing international and Arab film professionals together to collaborate on the realisation of 15 selected projects. Building on the success of 2007, the DFC will take place again during the 2008 edition of the Dubai International Film Festival.
The event includes:
- Three day schedule of one-to-one meetings between the 15 selected director/producer teams and key industry professionals from the fields of production, sales, distribution, funding and broadcasting with a view to assisting in the realisation of the project
- Individualised meeting agendas prepared in advance of the event for all participants
- Programme of networking events and industry panels
- Project Dossier detailing the selected projects available on the festival website and circulated to all industry professionals in advance of the Project Market
- Team of industry experts available for consultation and support to enable all participants to have a productive experience
- Viewing library containing previous films of directors selected for DFC
The Dubai International Film Festival will present 3 awards of $25,000 to projects selected by an international jury.
The producers of the three winning projects will be awarded registration for the prestigious Producers Network at the Cannes Film Festival in 2009.
Following on the success of last years collaboration with the Dubai Film Connection ARTE will present the “International Relations ARTE Prize” of €6000 to a filmmaker for exceptional originality, writing style and motivation.
In order to be eligible for the Dubai Film Connection, applicants must fulfill the following conditions:
- Directors must be of Arab nationality or origin - Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Palestinian Territories, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
- Directors must have previous directing experience – short films or features.
- The project must have a producer. The producer can be of any nationality.
- The project must be either fiction or documentary feature length films intended for theatrical distribution.
- The project must be at an advanced stage of development i.e. ready to be presented and discussed with potential partners. A full draft script and a financial plan will be required as part of the selection process.
- All materials must be submitted in English.
Selection Process:
Following the deadline an international team of experts will evaluate the submissions and select a total of 15 feature film projects. The final selection will be completed by the end of October and selected filmmakers will be contacted by a DFC representative.
In order to be considered for the Dubai Film Connection applicants must provide the following:
- A completed on-line application form
- Synopsis of 1- 2 pages
- Script for fiction features/full treatment for documentary features
- Director’s motivation/visual concept
- Director’s biography
- Producer’s biography
- Company profile/s
- Budget outline
- Finance plan
- 5 copies of a DVD containing sample/s of the director’s previous work
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Project entry is in two steps:
- Fill out the on-line application form and attach requested documents by August 4, 2008.
- Send all the additional materials in hard copy including the 5 DVDs by courier to arrive no later than August 11, 2008 to:
Contact Name:
Eric D Souza
Dubai International Film Festival
Dubai Media City
Bldg 2 (CNN)
First Floor
PO Box 53777
Dubai, UAE
Contact telephone number +971 4 367 6720
Please mention “without commercial value, for cultural purposes only” and mark “no value” or not more than “10 US$”.
All shipping costs are the responsibility of the applicant.
Submitted materials cannot be returned.
