Dubai, UAE; May 8, 2010: The Dubai International Film Festival 2010 (DIFF) has selected leading advertising firm Leo Burnett to roll out its marketing campaign for the seventh edition of the festival to be held from December 12 to 19, 2010.

Leo Burnett takes over from Impact Plus, which has been handling the account for four years. Having previously worked with DIFF, Leo Burnett originally coined the festival’s slogan, ‘Bridging Cultures, Meeting Minds.’

Mahsa Motamedi, Director of Marketing and Sponsorship, said: “Leo Burnett was selected from a multiple agency pitch in which we evaluated their ability to think strategically and execute their ideas professionally. Leo Burnett’s innovative strategy complements our new media and digital campaigns and will help position DIFF as the definitive film festival of the region, carrying forward a legacy that has been established by Impact Plus. We would like to extend our thanks to all the participating agencies for their commendable creative efforts.”

Kamal Dimachkie, Managing Director of Leo Burnett Dubai, Kuwait & Lower Gulf said: “Having collaborated with DIFF in the past, we understand the strategic outlook that is demanded by the festival, especially now that it has evolved tremendously in terms of audience participation, the film showcase and number of industry-focused events.”

For the 2010 edition, Dubai International Film Festival will combine its advertising and digital briefs, both to be handled by Leo Burnett.

Media buying and planning agency OMD has retained the DIFF account, while ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller will continue to serve as the Public Relations agency.

Dubai International Film Festival is held in association with Dubai Studio City. Dubai Duty Free, Dubai Pearl, Emirates Airline and Madinat Jumeirah are the principal sponsors, and the event is supported by Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture).

• 30 nominations for movies screened at DIFF

Dubai, UAE; March 3, 2010: As global buzz for the 82nd Annual Academy Awards (Oscars) gains steam, the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) 2009 selection of movies features prominently in the nominations.

In all, movies screened at DIFF have clinched 30 nominations with Nine and Avatar, the opening and closing galas of the festival, respectively, leading the list in sheer numbers for potential recognition.

DIFF Artistic Director Masoud Amralla Al Ali said the recognitions for movies screened at DIFF at both Golden Globes and now the Oscars highlight the top-notch programming associated with the event.

“DIFF is committed to bringing the best of film experiences from around the world. The recognition gained by movies screened in Dubai at the world’s foremost award events highlight the quality of film selection. These films offer an insight into modern filmmaking for the audiences and serve to inspire regional filmmakers.”

While Avatar is top contender for ‘Best Picture,’ Nine gives company in nomination for ‘Art Direction’ and Penelope Cruz billed for the ‘Actress in a Supporting Role.’ Avatar has also won nominations for ‘Cinematography,’ ‘Film Editing,’ ‘Music – Original Score,’ ‘Sound Editing,’ ‘Sound Mixing,’ and ‘Visual Effects,’ in addition to its director James Cameron contending for best direction laurel.

The Hurt Locker, screened at DIFF 2008, gives Avatar a tight chase with nominations for ‘Actor in a Leading Role’ for Jeremy Renner; ‘Cinematography,’ ‘Film Editing,’ ‘Music – Original Score,’ ‘Sound Editing,’ ‘Sound Mixing,’ ‘Writing – Original Screenplay,’ ‘Best Picture’ and director Kathryn Bigelow pitted against Cameron for ‘Directing.’

Nine has won nominations for ‘Costume Design’ as well as ‘Music – Original Song’ for Take it All composed and penned by Maury Yeston. The music awards has a dominance of DIFF movies with Fantastic Mr Fox competing for Music – Original Score with Avatar, and two songs (Almost There and Down in New Orleans by Randy Newman) from The Princess and the Frog giving hot chase for Nine in the category, Music – Original Song.

Fantastic Mr Fox and The Princess and the Frog, both of which made their Middle East premiere at DIFF 2009, have clinched nominations for ‘Animated Feature Film’ while The Milk of Sorrow from Peru and Un Prophete from France contend for ‘Foreign Language Film.’ Il Divo, which was screened at DIFF 2008 in the In Focus – Italy segment, is another nominee for ‘Makeup.’

The winners will be announced on March 7, 2010, with voting by some 6,000 members of The Academy world-wide currently ongoing.

The sixth edition of DIFF had recorded 50,113 admissions for the 168 films screened. The event was held in association with Dubai Studio City. Dubai Duty Free, Dubai Pearl, Emirates Airline and Madinat Jumeirah were the principal sponsors of DIFF and the event was supported by Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture).

The red carpet has been laid out, the big screen is ready and some of the leading stars are here. Dubai is all set to reel out the sixth edition of the Dubai International Film Festival today (December 9, 2009, Wednesday). Read the full story

Films with subjects as diverse as boxing, poetry and honour killing are among the 15 entries short-listed for this year’s Muhr Arab Shorts Awards at DIFF 2009. Read the full story

A gripping selection of 12 short films from Africa, Central Asia and the Far East have been short-listed for DIFF’s second annual Muhr AsiaAfrica Awards in the Shorts category.

The competition, designed to stimulate and expose filmmaking from emerging markets, Read the full story

• Auction of film memorabilia and haute couture packages planned

• Raised a total of AED 17.6 million (US$4.8 million) in the past two years

Under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, Read the full story

The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) 2009 children’s painting competition received over 1,400 entries from students representing 30 schools in Dubai. Read the full story

Brand-new dramas, rock documentaries, animation and comedy from Australia to Zanzibar among the eclectic line-up for December

More than 20 brand new, all-star and independent films from around the world will screen in Dubai as part of Cinema of the World line-up for the sixth Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF). Read the full story

During International Film Festival (DIFF), the leading cinema event of the Middle East, Africa and Asia, will conduct its volunteer recruitment drive for this year in November. Open to all nationalities and age-groups, the volunteer programme offers UAE residents the opportunity to be part of the action, excitement and glamour associated with DIFF.

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Special DIFF 2009 segment strengthens relations with French studios and filmmakers, celebrates Franco-Arab cinematic ties

Cinema fans across the UAE will enjoy the best of classic and contemporary French cinema at the Dubai International Film Festival this year, the French Ambassador to the UAE has confirmed. His Excellency Alain Azouaou met with DIFF Chairman Abdulhamid Juma this week Read the full story