It is a star-struck week for Abu Dhabi with the best of international and Arab movie talent descending upon the capital for the 7th edition of Abu Dhabi Film Festival (ADFF), which is on till November 2nd.
Walking the red carpet on the Opening night on October 24th was Life of Crime director Daniel Schechter, Hollywood legend Forest Whitaker, Australia’s Jackie Weaver of the Silver Linings Playbook fame, and the cream of Arab cinema including Egypt’s Mervat Amin and Palestinian star Hiam Abbas to mention a few.
Bollywood glitterati at the ADFF included cross-over star Irrfan Khan who attended the screening of his new film Qissa along with director Anup Sing, Director Aparna Sen with her Jewellery Box, Hindi and Bengali actress Moushumi Chatterjee.
In a special programme ‘Celebrating indain cinema’ Jahnu barua, director of The Catastrophe, and M.S. Sathyu, director of Scorching Winds, attended screening of their films. Producer Ashok Amritraj, whose extensive credits include the Opening Night film Life of Crime, also attended the festival, and delivered a workshop.
In a gala ceremony tonight at 8pm, Whitaker and Abbass will be honoured with the Black Pearl career Achievement Award for their exceptional contribution to cinema.
The winners in various categories of films including Narrative, Documentary, debut films by Arab film makers, short film and emirates film competition will be announced.
A total of 27 films by emirati filmmakers is competing in the Emirates Film Competition. The Wind by Aisha Abdullah, I Don’t Understand by Noura Al Zarouni, The Anatomy of Hope by Sofia de Fay, Feeding Five Hundred by Rafed Al Harthi and Ray Haddad are some the films.
In the Narrative section, Philippines flick Barber’s Tales by Jun Robles Lana, An Episode in the Life of an Iron Picker by Bosnian Director Jasmila Zbanic, Egyptian film Rags and Tatters, Chinese film A Touch of Sin and Siddharth by Richie Mehta are some that are shortlisted.
With three more days to go before the festival ends on November 2nd, movie enthusiasts said they are lapping up tickets not to miss the opportunity to watch some of the best of world cinema.
