Through this event, the authority aims to open new horizons for filmmakers, providing a platform to showcase their works and diverse stories to the audience.
The third edition of the Al Marmoom: Film in the Desert festival, organised by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), will kick off today, January 12, embracing the theme of ‘Stories at One with Nature.’ This festival, held in the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve from January 12 to 21, marks a significant stride towards fostering global cinematic innovation and strengthening Dubai’s position as a cultural powerhouse and a nurturing ground for creativity and talent.
The festival promises an immersive cultural experience for UAE citizens and residents, offering access to more than 70 films crafted by Emirati, GCC, Arab, and international filmmakers. Among them, 56 films will be vying for recognition in the Al Marmoom Short-Film Competition, with a distinguished panel of experts from the UAE and the regional cinema sector evaluating entries across three categories.
The judging panel for the animation category includes prominent figures such as Emirati Caricaturist and Animation Director Haidar Mohamad, Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Kharabeesh Wael Attili, and Bahraini director Inas Yacoub. The documentary film category will see Lebanese actor and director Georges Khabbaz, Emirati director Nahla Al Fahad, and Egyptian director and author Tamer Mohsen as judges. The live-action film category’s panel comprises Emirati director Hani AlShaibani, Egyptian director Mohamed Salama, and Emirati actress Dr Salama Al Mazrouei.
The festival will culminate with the announcement of winners during the closing ceremony on January 21 at the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve. Each category’s victor will receive AED 30,000 ($8168.16) and a commemorative trophy.
In addition to the film screenings and competitions, the festival programme, in line with the fourth edition of the Emirati tourism campaign ‘World’s Coolest Winter,’ encompasses 30+ workshops, 10+ panel discussions, and talks featuring distinguished speakers, directors, and cinema experts. Attendees can explore three exhibitions inspired by the history of cinema, including the ‘Cinematic Masterpieces’ exhibition showcasing a collection from Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr, Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Library Foundation.
The festival, held in collaboration with various public and private entities in Dubai, boasts a robust partnership lineup, including the Dubai Film And TV Commission as the Lead Partner, Proudly from Dubai as the F&B Partner, and other key supporters such as Dubai Media Incorporated, Awaan TV, and UAE Media Council. The event also enjoys the support of numerous entities, including Dubai Municipality, DEWA, RTA, Dubai Police, Dubai Corporation For Ambulance Services, Dubai Civil Defence, and Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, among others.
With the participation of Vox Cinemas, Sandooq Al Watan, Vision3000, Gamma Engineering, Raindance, Rashid Center for People of Determination, Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children, Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, and Akaas Visual Arts as Content Supporters, the Al Marmoom: Film in the Desert festival is set to captivate audiences and celebrate the rich tapestry of cinema against the backdrop of the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve.
