Festival Overview

Under the theme ‘Where Stories Come To Life,’ the Al Marmoom: Film in the Desert festival showcased over 30 workshops, panels, and discussions aimed at connecting emerging talents with industry professionals.

Event Conclusion

The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) has successfully wrapped up the fourth edition of the festival with a closing ceremony held at the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve. The event celebrated the winners of the Al Marmoom Short Film Competition, with Marwan Chiguer’s Investigation taking the top prize. Saif Abdulla’s Refractions secured second place, while Ahmed Saber’s Stranger in My House came in third.

Acknowledgments

Dr. Saeed Mubarak bin Kharbash, CEO of the Arts, Design and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, attended the ceremony, which also honored the winners of the photography competition. Abdullah Al Shehi won first place, followed by Latifa Al Roumani, Abdulrahim Al Hammadi, and Fares Al Marashly in second, third, and fourth places, respectively. Their photography captured the natural beauty of the Al Marmoom Desert.

Industry Recognition

The festival also recognized Emirati filmmaker Hussein Al Ansari, along with festival sponsors and a distinguished judging panel comprising industry experts such as Hani Alshaibani, Haidar Mohamad, Hanan Ghaith, Suzan Najmeddin, Morcous Adel, Mohamed Salama, Alaa Al Anssari, Mariam Al Serkal, and Wael Attili.

Impact on Dubai’s Cultural Landscape

Maitha Ali Al Blooshi, Manager of the Events Section at Dubai Culture and Project Manager of the festival, emphasized the event’s success in enhancing Dubai’s status as a global cultural hub. She noted its importance in nurturing creativity, supporting emerging filmmakers, and enriching Dubai’s cinematic landscape. “The festival provided participants with a unique opportunity to explore advanced filmmaking techniques and discover new avenues within the cultural and creative sectors,” she remarked, also praising the volunteers for their contributions to a seamless experience for attendees.

Film Screenings and Highlights

This year’s festival featured over 80 films from Emirati, Gulf, Arab, and international filmmakers. A standout presentation was Journey to the Stars by the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, which documented the UAE’s milestones in space exploration, including missions by astronauts Sultan Al Neyadi and Hazzaa Al Mansoori. Emirati director Hussein Al Ansari also showcased two short films as part of the diverse lineup.

Workshops and Experiences

In line with the theme ‘Where Stories Come To Life,’ the festival included more than 30 workshops, panels, and discussions that facilitated connections between emerging talents and industry experts. The program featured digital art exhibitions, heritage performances, music, and innovative experiences such as AI-driven filmmaking and stargazing through a planetarium.

Conclusion

The Al Marmoom: Film in the Desert festival not only celebrates cinematic achievements but also serves as a vital platform for business leaders in the film and television entertainment industry to engage with new talent and explore emerging trends in filmmaking.

Person

Marwan Chiguer, Saif Abdulla, Ahmed Saber, Dr. Saeed Mubarak bin Kharbash, Abdullah Al Shehi, Latifa Al Roumani, Abdulrahim Al Hammadi, Fares Al Marashly, Hussein Al Ansari, Hani Alshaibani, Haidar Mohamad, Hanan Ghaith, Suzan Najmeddin, Morcous Adel, Mohamed Salama, Alaa Al Anssari, Mariam Al Serkal, Wael Attili, Maitha Ali Al Blooshi, Sultan Al Neyadi, Hazzaa Al Mansoori

Company Names

Dubai Culture, Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre

Titles

Investigation, Refractions, Stranger in My House, Journey to the Stars

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