Selection Process

Following the deadline an international team of experts evaluate the submissions and select approximately 15 feature film projects. In the first round all applications are looked at by two different members of the selection team and a shortlist is compiled. In the final selection all members of the selection team read the shortlist. The final selection is completed by the end of October and selected filmmakers will be contacted by a DFC representative. The 15 projects are selected based on the following criteria:

The quality of the idea,
The talent and ability of the whole team to deliver the proposed project,
The feasibility of the financial budget and plan,
The project’s potential to both international and Arab partners.

Furthermore when making the final selection the committee strives to select a range of projects which reflect the diversity of filmmaking voices emanating from across the Arab world; from small low-budget personal projects to more commercially ambitious genre films. We also aim to select both established as well as debut film directors.

Selecting the Awards

A jury of 3 international film professionals meets with each of the selected project teams and nominates the awardees for the 3 DIFF Development Awards, the Film Clinic DIFF Debut Feature Award and the Screen Institute Beirut DIFF Documentary Award. The ARTE Award and the OIF Prize are selected by their own jury.