4th Gulf Film Festival thanks industry partners for contributing to region’s filmmakers

The Gulf Film Festival, the home of bold, contemporary and innovative cinema from the Arabian peninsula, thanked its host of business partners and industry supporters following the conclusion of its successful fourth edition last week. 

The Festival, which screened 153 films from 31 nations free to the public from April 14 to 20 at Dubai Festival City, was held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture). The 2011 Festival included a Gulf competition for feature, documentary, short and student films, an international shorts competitions, out-of-competition segments, a master class by renowned director Abbas Kiarostami and other special events. 

Apart from joining hands for a two-year partnership with renowned Swiss watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen as the festival’s ‘Special Partner,’ the Gulf Film Festival worked with several key Co-Partners including leading educational partner New York Film Academy, Abu Dhabi; Al Barq Digital; Crystal Gallery; Flicker Show Productions; Leo Burnett; and Masar Printing Press. 

Mahsa Motamedi, Director of Marketing & Sponsorship, Gulf Film Festival, said: “We are thankful to our partners for their support of the festival and their contribution to delivering a very successful event. The partnerships underscore the appeal of the festival in bringing together industry leaders to offer a superior experience to our audiences and industry participants.” 

During the Festival, the New York Film Academy, Abu Dhabi hosted student workshops that covered all aspects of filming, and announced two special awards for outstanding Gulf student filmmakers. The winners will receive scholarships for filmmaking or acting course at the Academy. 

Al Barq Digital, an innovative new digital media brand, partnered with the festival in showcasing display screens at the festival venues, strengthening the festival outreach and directing traffic to the venues. Crystal Gallery, leading manufacturer and processor of exquisite handcrafted crystal products, provided the trophies for the GFF Awards as well as for the Lifetime Achievement Award, jury and celebrity honourees. 

Another partner is Flicker Show Productions, a full-fledged video, audio and photography production facility that undertook photo & video coverage of all aspects of the festival – from the red carpet to the student workshops. Leo Burnett is the Official Advertising Agency of the festival, driving the GFF 2011 campaign, while Masar Printing Press printed the festival’s collaterals including movie guides, show guides and a book on Gerard Courant. 

The Gulf Film Festival is supported by Dubai Culture & Arts Authority and is held in association with Dubai Studio City.