Love films? Al Ain Film Festival is back for a third year running in 2021.
Returning this month, the event will take place in the Garden City from January 23 to 27 under the theme ‘Future Cinema’.
The festival is known for showcasing and celebrating the work of local filmmakers and helping to highlight the talent in the UAE and the GCC.
At this year’s event a range of programmes, initiatives and screenings will be launched in Al Ain.
During the festival a number of European films, previously screened at festivals in the continent, will be shown in Al Ain to boost cultural connections between Europe and the Middle East.
Through an ongoing programme, European films will continue to be shown on weekends in Al Ain highlighting different countries each week.
This year, Al Ain festival will be held under the umbrella of Abu Dhabi Festival, collaborating with the largest cultural festival in the emirate.
A new award has also been introduced for this year’s festival. The Fareed Ramadhan Award, named after the late Bahraini screenwriter, will be presented for the best screenplay for a long Gulf Film during this year’s festival.
In addition a number of competitions and prizes will also be announced during the festival this year.
“We are proud to support Al Ain Film Festival (AFF) as a thriving part of the nation’s vision for the development of film in the UAE and as an influential celebration of local and international achievements in cinema,” said Huda I. Alkhamis-Kanoo, artistic director of Abu Dhabi Festival.
“Together with AFF, we are committed to continuing our work to cultivate the nation’s film industry and our investment in Emirati youth to empower them to realize their artistic ambition and develop their creative abilities.
“Our partnership with AFF is an invaluable opportunity to support Emirati directors and launch many outstanding new films through this prestigious Arab and international film festival.”
Jan 23-27. Ali Ain, www.alainfilmfest.com.
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