The Festival’s annual ‘In Focus’ segment introduces regional audiences to the film, talent and narratives of nations with a history of excellence in cinema. With Mexico being responsible for some of Latin America’s best and most popular contemporary films, DIFF 2010’s In Focus: Mexico segment is expected to resonate not only with the region’s burgeoning Spanish-speaking population but with everyone who loves cinema.
Masoud Amralla Al Ali, Artistic Director of the Dubai International Film Festival said: “From the 1940s through to the new wave, Mexican cinema has a celebrated history that is often overlooked today. We believe that the diversity, innovation and energy of Mexican cinema will inspire emerging and established filmmakers in the region, and we hope this special section will build a lasting bond between the region’s Spanish-speaking community and the Festival.”
H.E. Francisco Alonso, Mexican Consul General in Dubai, stressed his government’s interest in strengthening cultural and economic ties between Mexico and Dubai, and urged the local community to get to know Mexico better through DIFF.
“We are firm believers in the Dubai International Film Festival’s credo of ‘Bridging Cultures, Meeting Minds,’ and we are honoured that the leading film festival of the Arab world has chosen to focus on Mexico this year,” Alonso said. “The Mexican community in the region will be active participants in DIFF this year, and we look forward to sharing our cultural values, stories, music and our talents with residents and visitors.”
DIFF has screened a number of films by Mexican filmmakers in previous years, reiterating its commitment to bringing the best of world cinema to local audiences. Alejando González Iñárritu’s Babel and Carolina Rivas’ documentary El Color de Los Olivos (The Colour of Olives), for example, both screened at the Festival. A-list Mexican actress Salma Hayek has also participated in DIFF.
More recently, DIFF Chairman Abdulhamid Juma this month led a delegation to the eighth annual Morelia International Film Festival in the Mexican state of Michoacán. The festival, which ran from October 16 to 24, screened 55 Mexican and international film premieres and 86 documentaries, short films and features.
The seventh edition of Dubai International Film Festival 2010 will be held from December 12 to 19. DIFF 2010 is held in association with Dubai Studio City and supported by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority. Dubai Duty Free, Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai Pearl, Emirates Airline and Madinat Jumeirah are the principal sponsors of DIFF.
source: DIFF