Young talent and infrastructure support have helped shape Gulf film industry, says Gulf Nights

‘Gulf Nights,’ a discussion forum of filmmakers , critics, media and movie-goers, at the third edition of the Gulf Film Festival, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), said Gulf cinema has evolved considerably in the past ten years.
The fourth ‘Gulf Nights’ focused on ‘Gulf Cinema 2000-2010’ was an insightful session that charted the evolution of cinema in the region in the past decade. While participants highlighted the need for more financial support and a more superior technical infrastructure, the overall mood was that of optimism.
Film Jury member of the Gulf Film Festival 2010, Abdullah Habib, was the moderator of the session, which put forth candid views on the film industry in the region. Most participants said that Gulf cinema has broken its mould and with continued support, it can offer a credible alternative in the cinema experience for the 300 million people in the larger Middle East region.
Masoud Amralla Al Ali, Director of Gulf Film Festival, said: “The Gulf Nights sessions have been a great opportunity for filmmakers to interact with critics and other professionals to gain a better understanding of the film industry in the region. The discussion on the past decade of Gulf cinema was particularly insightful as it brought out the challenges and opportunities faced by the industry.”
He added: “The past decade has witnessed a remarkable change in the way the film industry in the region is perceived. The inception of Government-led initiatives such as Dubai International Film Festival and Gulf Film Festival has encouraged more youngsters to come forward. There have also been strong efforts to build the regional cinema infrastructure, which will help the industry gain more prominence locally.”
Abdullah Habib said the wide showcase of films from the region – 111 this year alone at Gulf Film Festival – is a testament to the evolution of Gulf cinema. “The enthusiasm shown by our youngsters is a mark of how interested they are in cinema as a creative medium. This interest levels must be sustained, and a stronger infrastructure created that will further inspire them to make world-class movies. The Gulf region has no shortage of stories, and with the right support, cinema from the region can establish its credentials across the world.”
On the final Gulf Nights, the participants discussed the various aspects of Khaleeji cinema, underscoring the evolution of Gulf Film Festival as the definitive event that promotes excellence in films in the Gulf region.