Forum Schedule

Social media has been widely acknowledged as one of the key instruments that led to the change in regime across parts of the Arab world. As the political dust begins to settle, this panel will discuss the impact that Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and other forms of mobile and online community-building tools will have on the way information and entertainment is consumed and shared. In particular, how will bloggers, tweeters and online commentators use this giant megaphone to revolutionize the cinema business. Hear from a panel of leading social media exponents about the tricks-of-the-trade they have acquired for both cultivating a following and also shaping public and industry opinions.

This session will examine a perceived crisis in media coverage that harms the prospects of Arab cinema in the marketplace. Talk to film distributors in the GCC and they will tell you that the media would rather cover Hollywood blockbusters, or at best Egyptian slapstick comedies, than throw a spotlight on a more challenging diversity of films - because "that is what people want." Magazines, newspapers and TV networks don't really review titles so much as copy and paste opinions from other media channels. What needs to be done so that the next generation of film journalists, editors and critics play a more a proactive role in educating the movie-going public?

Investors, distributors and ultimately audiences respond to an original story with well-defined characters, a clear conflict and a transformative arc. As a filmmaker, producer or early creative partner, how does one choose what stories in which to get involved and what are some techniques for shaping your idea into a story that reaches an audience?

The difficulties of adaptation are often magnified when the source material has been in the public eye. Best sellers and beloved texts that make their way to the big screen often fail to deliver. When Albert Camus' novel Le premier homme was published in 1994, it was accompanied by extensive press coverage. The academic community was quick to embrace the importance of Camus' story, which places his childhood memories against the backdrop of growing unease between France and Algeria.

The adaptation won the Prize of the International Critics Prize in Toronto this year and is in the official program of this year's Dubai International Film Festival. In this panel, producer Bruno Pesery talks about how he and filmmaker Gianni Amelio approached the text and the politically and socially potent subject matter.

Young filmmakers, like first-time novelist often look inward and draw from personal experiences when considering a new subject for their work. A case can be made however, that there's a treasure trove of material ripe for exploration in the libraries, bookstores and best-seller lists across the region. What are the barriers that Arab world filmmakers experience when adapting a book for the screen? Are producers and book publishers operating in different spheres or are the optioning requirements too complex or expensive?

All Dubai Film Market delegates and film festival guests will have the opportunity to meet with international film festival programmers. Check The Dubai Film Market Information and Services Desk to get a full list of attendees.

Film financing can run the gamut from maxing out credit cards, taping friends and family, enticing private equity investment or navigating complex tax and soft money schemes. Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned vet, there are some financing fundamentals that will help to position your project as professionally. Help improve your chances of securing the funding you need. Producers and fund managers will share their best practices in this indispensable workshop.

As the wind of change sweeps across the Arab world what are the repercussions for the film world? Is now the time for Arab filmmakers to come together to formulate a vision for the future of Arab Cinema? Given a free-hand what would the filmmakers from the region want to change, pull-down or build? What are the essentials to creating a dynamic, challenging and inspiring film word? In what will undoubtedly be a lively discussion, this panel will provide a forum to brainstorm with the audience on the creation of a manifesto.

Supported by the European Union's MEDIA International, TorinoFilmLab, the Dubai International Film Festival and EAVE are running a Middle East – Europe training program: The training is designed to match the needs of experienced professionals who want to develop their skills by concrete work on their projects, under the expert guidance of international tutors, and who are ready to share their ideas with colleagues and involve themselves in discussions in order to improve and increase the participants' knowledge.

All Dubai Film Market delegates and Film Festival guests are welcome to meet with Film commissioners and funders from the Arab world. Check the Dubai Film Market Information & Services Desk to get a full list of attendees.

Selling films used to be strictly in the domain of the sales agent. Now a new breed of business savvy filmmakers are holding onto rights, making non-exclusive deals on a variety of platforms and are staying involved in the sales process throughout the life of their film. Explore the wide spectrum of sales opportunities in the digital age with leading industry experts and learn how to super-charge your film's potential.

DIFF is celebrating Germany with a special Focus at the Festival this year and are partnering with German Films and The Goethe-Institute to bring films and a special industry focus to the Film Market. A working knowledge of the German film industry—the most important co-producing market in Europe—is indispensable for filmmakers and producers with international aspirations.

Key representatives from the German industry will talk about the funding system, the role of broadcasters, co-production possibilities, and the market for Arab world and other foreign language films.

Will increased demand for local TV content foster a vibrant filmmaking community? As local audiences demand more Arabic language shows to watch, broadcasters are beginning to look inward for their programming. One happy consequence is that creative content producers are increasingly able to make a living in their home markets, refine their craft and contribute to a deepening talent pool. Last year, Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City, and International Media Protection Zone hosted an International Media Forum, which brought together senior executives from the region's broadcast industry. Their recommendations favour investment and support of local talent. In this panel we discuss the positive benefits that broadcaster support can have on local filmmaking communities and hear from the local broadcasters and their belief in the "Local Content Virtuous Circle"!

Daily networking sessions are organized each day in The Film Forum Room. These informal sessions are designed to help make new business acquaintances. Key industry professionals from different sectors of the film industry are invited to host a table and delegates are welcome to join them for discussions.

Traditional theatrical distribution—while having never been easy to secure—is proving even more elusive in the digital era. Hear how the rapidly changing landscape is affecting distribution prospects for non-star driven films and hear first hand what acquisition executives look for and how they decide what to buy.

Germany is the biggest European media market with a rich funding system, strong broadcasters and a colourful documentary landscape: An ideal partner for international co-productions? When you take a closer look you realise that the German media market reflects the federal structure of the country. Competing locations for the media industry, regional film funds with very specific regulations, dozens of TV stations and a variety of production companies make it hard as an outsider to find your way. This panel will feature xperienced producers and commissioning editors who will help you to figure out how the German non-fiction market works and what to expect from it.

Historically Arab World Filmmakers looked to Europe—specifically France England, and Germany—for co-production support. Due to recent events in the region, awareness and consequently an appetite for Arab stories is on the rise. In this panel Veteran filmmaker Diana Jeiroudi will summarize the current funding/support situation for Arab World documentaries and facilitating a conversation with a panels of diverse international commissioning editors and documentary film funds who represent non-traditional partners and funding sources.

Documentary Film Commissioners and funders will be available to meet DIFF delegates

The role of the short film in the film world is not always clear. Shorts are often a filmmakers first creative attempt but sales opportunities and distribution channels seem limited. Here from a leading distributor of short films about how to create revenue from your work and a producer who has used a successful shorts as the springboard for a feature project.

This year the UAE is celebrating the 40th anniversary of it's union. Young Emirate filmmakers have been nurtured under the umbrella of festivals like the Dubai International Film Festival and Gulf Film Festival. This panel will present five exceptional Emirati working in different creative capacities and highlight their involvement in local and international filmmaking.

Mohamad Khan is one of Egypt's most celebrated film directors. He has directed more than 20 films many of which, "Missing Person"(1984), "Return of a Citizen" (1986), "The Wife of an important Man" (1987), "Dreams of Hind and Camilia" (1988) are considered milestones in the emergence of the Egyptian neorealist movement which took place in the 1980's. Moderator Erfan Rachid will lead a conversation with Mohamad on this important era of Egyptian cinema and discuss Mohammad's artistic contributions as well as those of his peers and fellow directors Atef El Taeb and Daoud Abdel Sayed.

Short Film Professionals will be available to meet DIFF delegates.
Check the Dubai Film Market Information & Services Desk to get a full list of attendees.

Mohamad Malas is a Syrian writer/director who has received critical acclaim for his narrative and fiction films and credits include"Dreams of the City (1984) and "The Night" (1992). His films, often is highly meditative in style have been described as "Visual Poetry" by some critics. In this master class he will discuss how he's explored certain themes (A Missing Place, The Lost Era, and Search for Self) through the eyes of the women in his films.

The Dubai Film Forum, in cooperation with the Goethe-Institut, is proud to present the Oscar® and Palme d'Or Winning filmmaker Volker Schlöndorff with a masterclass about his career and approach to filmmaking.

Schlöndorff looks back on an opus of over 30 films, and his career which led him to work in Germany, France and the United States. After "Die Fälschung" (Circle of Deceit, 1981), which was mainly filmed on location in Beirut, Schlöndorff helmed the film adaptation of Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman" (1985 ) starring Dustin Hoffman.

A look at iconic historical trends and how to interpret them into inventive editorial makeup. Smoky eyes of the Twenties, classic red Hollywood lips and drawn-on lashes inspire new versions of classic beauty.

Presented by MAC Senior Artist: Gina Bettelli

In countries with burgeoning film industries, there is often no infrastructure for the emerging actor. In other countries, agents, managers, and casting directors create a network, which serves to facilitate an actor's entre into the film and television industry. Hear from a group of successful actors who will share the road they took to success within their own country and beyond. Antonio Rubbial, an internationally acclaimed casting director will talk about his experience promoting actors (Penelope Cruise, Elaina Anaya) outside their home country to international audiences.

Description: Werner Herzog – who Francois Truffaut once described as the most important film director alive – is at DIFF this year to receive the Festival's prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award and to present his new film INTO THE ABYSS. This intimate conversation will touch on many aspects of his career as Film Director, Producer, Screenwriter, Actor and Opera Director. One never knows the conversation will go with Werner!