The region’s growing influence in the film industry has finally been recognised, meaning that UAE filmmakers can now submit full-length films to the Oscars. The Dubai International Film Festival have said the country’s selection committee have been approved and the first entries can be submitted in the foreign language film category for the 90th Academy Awards, which will take place in Hollywood on 4th March 2018.
The DIFF chairman Abdulhamid Juma said the recognition would help put Emirati films on the world stage. “On behalf of everyone involved in the industry here, we are delighted to now be in a position to submit UAE films for the Oscars, which is another step forward to placing UAE film and talent on the world cinematic map,” Juma said in a statement.
“It’s encouragement for all UAE filmmakers that our stories can go a long way in today’s world. The UAE film industry has come on leaps and bounds in the last 10 years and the future looks very promising with more compelling films being produced year on year and finding acclaim at festivals around the world and securing theatrical releases.”
The Academy classifies a foreign language film as a feature-length motion picture which has been produced outside the US with a predominantly non-English dialogue track. To be eligible, the film must first be released within its home country before 1st October and be publicly shown for at least seven consecutive days in a commercial theatre for the profit of the producer and exhibitor.
Along with other technical specifics, countries must certify that creative control of the motion picture was largely in the hands of its citizens or residents.
The UAE selection committee is made up of highly regarded filmmakers, film industry professionals and cultural figures, both Emirati and foreigners residing in the UAE. They include: Abdulhamid Juma, chairman of the Dubai International Film Festival is joined by HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture, film critic and curator Antonia Carver, director and producer Abdullah Hasan Ahmed, poet and script writer Ahmed Salmeen, Head of Narrative Film & Television at ImageNation Ben Ross, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Cinema Akil Butheina Hamed Kazim, Managing Partner of Middle Eastern distributor Front Row Filmed Entertainment Gianluca Chakra, artist and culture writer Hind Mezaina, MBC television executive and Festival director of ANA cinema Lina Matta, filmmaker Mohammed Al-Otaiba, film critic Mohammed Rouda and composer Taha Al Ajami.