UAE Ministry of Interior, Enjaaz to help Arab filmmakers produce movies

Representatives from the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) recently said the group plans to revisit a partnership with the UAE Ministry of Interior (MOI) to back Arab filmmakers attempting to make movies that focus on societal issues, and to take those movies to the broadest audiences possible with the help of MOI funding.

"Our partnership with the UAE Ministry of Interior is an important and influential one which will support filmmakers with projects that will have a significant impact on audiences," Abdulhamid Juma, DIFF chairman, said. “The importance of film as a way of engaging audiences in ideas, dialogue and debate culture and society is crucial, and MOI’s Award will truly make a meaningful impact. We look forward to working with them on a partnership that holds so much promise and continues to support the future success of Arab cinema.”

To work toward this goal, the MOI’s Cinema Awards committee will join with Enjaaz, a post-production company.

Enjaaz began in 2009 and is dedicated to helping Arab filmmakers finish their films, find new talent and stay abreast of new projects.

The MOI will assist with post-production on fiction and documentary films from the UAE and other Arab nations. Film subjects will include child protection, road safety, drug abuse, natural disasters and cyber-crimes.

Additionally, the MOI's Cinema Awards Committee has committed to supporting the effort with $100,000 to be awarded to as many as four Arab filmmakers for their post-production costs.

"The strategic partnership with DIFF through Enjaaz is crucial to further advancing mutual noble objectives," Lt. Col. Al Shimmari of MOI said. “Increasing public awareness by utilizing cinema, and the emotional impact cinema can have, will enable us to increase our reach across the community and further enable challenging social issues to be confronted and addressed. We also aim to encourage the public to directly collaborate with the police as we endeavor to address such issues in the community.”

Enjaaz is now accepting submissions for feature-length fiction and documentary projects in post-production by directors of Arab nationality or origin. The deadline is Aug. 1.

For more information, visit www.diff.ae.