Latifa Bint Mohammed Visits First Edition Of Al Marmoom: Film In The Desert

Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), visited the first edition of ‘Al Marmoom: Film in the Desert’, a pioneering event organised by the Authority from 4 – 7 March at the Al Marmoom Reserve.

The event was aimed at providing an innovative platform for supporting the emerging local and regional film sector as well as fostering and provide enriching experiences to filmmaking talent. The event also sought to shed light on Al Marmoom as a cultural and tourist destination and a natural reserve that reflects the richness of Emirati heritage.

Her Highness stressed the importance of the event within the framework of cultural initiatives focused on contributing to Dubai Culture’s vision to consolidate the Emirate’s position as a global centre for arts and culture, an incubator for creativity, and a thriving hub for talent. She noted that Al Marmoom: Film in the Desert helps advance the local and Arab film industry landscape by encouraging promising talent to present their cinematic works in Dubai, the UAE, and the region.

Celebrating emerging and independent talent in the country, the event represents a pioneering project that provides filmmakers in the UAE an ideal platform to showcase their work and discuss opportunities and challenges in the film industry. Al Marmoom: Film in the Desert also underpins Dubai’s role in supporting various creative fields and helping create a true revival of cinema in the region.

Expressing her happiness at the remarkable response the event received from residents and visitors of various nationalities, Her Highness said the unique event is the starting point for the Al Marmoom cinematic initiative. The Authority plans to turn the event into a pioneering, regional cinematic event that meets international standards. The event has several aims, key among which is the provision of an effective platform to support and develop the film sector. In addition, Dubai Culture seeks to highlight major technologies used in the production of local and regional films while protecting their intellectual and creative property rights and enhancing Dubai’s position as a global destination for cinema.

HH Sheikha Latifa toured the event’s venue, accompanied by Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture, a group of experts and filmmakers, and a number of officials from private and public entities participating in the project.

Her Highness started the tour by watching a short non-dialogue film as part of ‘Films in a Box,’ the first mobile cinema in Dubai and the region to display a package of short films ranging between 10 – 15 minutes. Films in a Box provides easy-to-install-and-transport display platforms that can accommodate 28 spectators. Her Highness said the showcased films transcend the boundaries of language by reaching members of the public without translation, especially People of Determination. The initiative reflects the inclusiveness of the event, which embraces all segments of society, and is aligned with the principles of social responsibility that Dubai Culture is committed to.

Furthermore, Her Highness announced a non-dialogue short film competition as part of the partnership between Dubai Culture and Films in a Box. The winning filmmakers will have the opportunity to present their films at Expo 2020 Dubai later this year as part of the collaboration between the Authority and the Expo. Dubai Culture is the official cultural supporter of the global mega event. Her Highness noted that the competition’s aim of supporting and encouraging this art form reflects the Authority’s keenness to promote greater interaction of cultures within the unique social fabric of Dubai, a city that is home to more than 190 nationalities. Her Highness added that the winning films will be selected by a jury of filmmaking experts.

Her Highness said: “Movies and the art of filmmaking represent a key pillar of Dubai’s creative ecosystem. Supporting this dynamic industry is an important step as we move towards implementing the new cultural vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Initiatives such as Al Marmoom: Film in the Desert, achieved with an unprecedented number of partnerships, support our efforts to transform Dubai into a global hub for regional and international creative talent in several ways – from nurturing the local film industry to inspiring viewers around the world with our own stories.”

Her Highness continued: “I am particularly proud to have seen so many Emirati and regional filmmakers present their work in this inaugural edition of the Al Marmoom event, showcasing our homegrown talent against the breathtaking backdrop of Dubai’s desert landscape.”

The launch of Al Marmoom: Film in the Desert is part of Dubai Culture’s efforts to enhance the cultural sector in the Emirate, shed light on the Al Marmoom Reserve as a cultural area with a distinct natural desert environment and stimulate cultural tourism.

In organising the event, Dubai Culture partnered with du and the Dubai Film and TV Commission (DFTC) who provided support across all aspects of the event. Bab Al Shams, one of Dubai’s most luxurious desert resorts, was the hospitality partner, while VOX Cinemas helped attract film lovers from across the region. Leading institutions in the academic and film production sectors from Dubai also participated in Al Marmoom: Film in the Desert through targeted workshops for children and young adults organised by the SAE Institute in Dubai. Other partners, who designed sessions for adults, included American University in Dubai, Arab Films, Nikon, FX Makeup, and Image Nation.