Dubai Culture Launches Al Marmoom Short-Film Competition For Emerging Filmmakers

Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) has announced an open call for the Al Marmoom Short-Film Competition, which will be a highlight of the fourth Al Marmoom: Film in the Desert festival. This competition is designed to enrich the local film scene by providing an innovative platform that supports filmmakers, encouraging them to share their experiences and knowledge, and inspiring new talent to enter the field.

Dubai Culture invites emerging filmmakers and creatives from local, regional, and global communities to participate and submit their works for the festival’s competition. Applications are open from August 14 to September 30. A specialized committee of experts, directors, and filmmakers will then review and evaluate the submitted films to announce the finalists competing for the festival awards, which will be held at the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve from January 3-12, 2025.

The competition includes four categories: documentaries, animated films, live-action, and films created using artificial intelligence. Eligible works will be selected based on quality and content criteria. The open call targets all emerging filmmakers and directors, whether they are working individually or in groups.

Participants are required to present distinctive ideas that express their artistic visions and commitment to innovation, ensuring that the work is original, recent, and not previously showcased at any local, regional, or global festival or event. The film should be between 3 and 30 minutes long, must not offend public morals, religions, or communities, and the participant must own all rights to the short film.

Through its official competition, film screenings, interactive workshops, and talks, the festival aims to enhance the sustainability of the film industry in the region and create an inspiring environment that brings together industry professionals to share their experiences and knowledge. This initiative also seeks to provide an exceptional cultural experience for the public, including citizens, residents, and visitors, and to offer a valuable platform for supporting the emerging film sector locally and regionally. It enables emerging creatives to showcase their talent, refine their skills, and achieve professionalism.

The festival’s third edition showcased over 70 films featuring the work of Emirati, Gulf, Arab, and international filmmakers. The previous Al Marmoom Short-Film Competition saw 56 short films competing across its three categories, and the festival hosted a series of talks and workshops led by industry experts, along with exhibitions and artworks inspired by the history of cinema.

(With ANI Inputs)

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