The festival, which will run till January 25, will award films in several categories including the Falcon Emirati, and the Falcon Gulf among others.
The second edition of the Al Ain Film Festival kicked off on Wednesday at the historic Al Jahili Fort in Al Ain, which brought several Emirati, Gulf and Arab films to the city. The festival will take place until January 25.
The festival opened with You Will Die at 20, a Sudanese film directed by Amjad Abu Alala. The film, which had screened at last year’s Venice Film Festival, also won the Lion of Future Award.
Based on a short story by Sudanese writer and activist Hammour Ziada, the film tells the story of a boy, 19, called Muzamil (Mustafa Shehata) who, as an infant, was told he would die on the day he turns 20.
The fest is held under the patronage of HE Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, member of the Executive Council, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court.
The Falcon Emirati competition will include awards for Best Film (feature film), Best Emirati Actor/Actress (feature film), Best Film (short film), Jury’s Prize (short film), Best Emirati Actor/Actress (short film), and Best Film Idea (short film).
The Falcon Gulf competition will include awards for Best Feature Film, Best Short Film and Best Actor/Actress in a Feature Film.
Prominent figures from the Arab world including Egyptian actor Ahmed Bedeir, Egyptian actress and singer Bushra and Kuwaiti comedian and actor Tariq Al Ali are expected to attend the festival.
