The glitz! The stars! The premieres! The Abu Dhabi Film Festival, running all this week, is the stuff of any film buff’s wildest, sweatiest dreams. But away from the big budgets and the Hollywood headliners, there’s something altogether more cerebral going on. The Emirates Competition is a platform for the region’s home-grown talent to show off their short narrative and documentary creations, and gives the city’s celluloid addicts a rare glimpse at the wares of some of the UAE’s hottest upcoming filmmakers. Adel Al Jabri, senior filmmaker liaison with the Abu Dhabi Film Festival, explains why this year’s line-up is the strongest yet.
Which of the films in the Emirates Competition do you think will attract the most attention?
It’s not really about which is the best film; it’s more about supporting all of the films and encouraging local filmmakers. The Emirates Competition has generated a lot of interest because it’s for local, Gulf region talent. There are 19 awards up for grabs, such as Best Scenario, Best Cinematography and Best Emirati Film, which was introduced especially to encourage filmmakers from the Emirates.
Are there any common themes in the films on this year’s programme?
Mostly people talk about social issues. Most of the films in the Emirates Competition discuss family, friends and things like that. But there are a variety of issues being addressed.
Are there any topics filmmakers aren’t allowed to cover?
No. Actually, it’s quite the opposite. There are some films in the competition – especially in the documentaries category – that look at subjects that are considered taboo. There’s one called Second Wife by a female filmmaker called Moaza Al Sharif, which is about how men can be so obsessed with their cars they consider them their second wife. There’s also one about labourers, a film called Constructing Dreams by Moath Bin Hafez – he’s also a student. He shot this short documentary on a Canon 7D camera by just going along to the construction sites and talking to the workers about their lives, about their dreams and aspirations. It’s really quite interesting.
Have any past entrants gone on to achieve big things?
Yes, plenty. We have Nawaf Al Janahi, he’s participated in the Emirates Competition a number of times in the past, and now he’s off making his second feature film called Sea Shadow, which is shooting at the moment. That’s definitely one to watch out for.
What are the main difficulties faced by filmmakers in the UAE?
I think the main thing stopping the industry growing is that there’s not really an industry to begin with. In other places, France for example, there’s quite a developed film culture and industry. As a result, more people get into it, study film, learn how to make films and get involved with it for a living. They can go out and say, ‘I am a filmmaker’, whereas in the UAE being a filmmaker always means having another job; it always has to be a bit of a hobby. It’s better than before. They’re really making an effort, and I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen in the next few years.
Do you think the UAE’s film industry will ever rival any of the world’s biggest?
I’m not saying we’re going to be as big as Hollywood or Bollywood, but it’s already starting to move. Ali Mostafa just released his first feature film, City of Life [starring Hollywood regulars Jason Flemyng and Natalie Dormer] last year, which was a big, high-end production with a multi-million dollar budget. And we have another potentially huge upcoming film by Saeed Salmeen, featured in the festival, called Sun Dress. That’s worth looking out for, since it’s already generating a lot of interest.
Search for Emirates Competition on www.abudhabifilmfestival.ae for full screening information.
