The third edition of the Gulf Film Festival, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture, screened 24 films from Saudi Arabia that provided viewers with a mirrored reflection of life in the Gulf. Budding filmmakers from Saudi Arabia showcased numerous films including “Child's Pain” by Waleed Matari which narrates the events surrounding a child dealing with the disillusion of her family, when the only person close to her goes missing. The reaction of foreign passengers to a suitcase owned by an Arab man are recorded to portray the stereotypes that exist in the West in Mohammed Al Tamimi's “The Bag”. A tribute to the late poet Nizar Qabbani, “Yearning of a Poet”, portrays Qabbani in the present and his nostalgia of the past in a short film by Tareq Aldakheel. Submissions in the ‘Lights' segment from Saudi Arabia included Thieab Al-Dossary's animated short film, “Tayeb Altalif” (Harmony by Distress) which explores the attitudes about prejudice and segregation and the symbolism that surrounds the many shades of discrimination. Director Abdulmuhsin Almutairi narrates the story of a woman and the problems she has with her brother as a result of various family matters in “AlKenaa (The Mask)”. A man comes to life after his burial when one of his killers leaves the door open in “Jari Tajmeel” (Loading) directed by Hanna Saleh Al-Fassi. Anggi Makki's “Raksa Motaghameda” (Frozen Dance) is the inspiring story of a young man who trains to win a marathon so that he can cure his ill father. In a touching portrayal of children, Mousa Thunayan's “Al Asfour Al Azrak” (Blue Bird) depicts the determined struggle of a handicapped boy who has been separated from his wheelchair. A family man risks his life by jumping from the tallest wall in the world to provide his ill daughter with medication, in Jasim Ali Oqaili's “Ta'er Al Faneek” (The Phoenix Bird). “La Yujad Siwa Bakaya Dajaj Makli Fi Al Salaja” (There is only Leftovers of Fried Chicken in the Fridge) by Nawaf Almhanna gives us an insight into how the course of our lives can change in a few minutes. Platform for young filmmakers This year's festival brought together documentary film-makers from across the region to share their views on the Gulf film industry. The team of documentary makers – young first-timers and experienced professionals – was unanimous in their outlook that the Gulf Film Festival has provided them with a growth platform, with potential opportunities for wider distribution. Hady Mahoud, the director of Iraqi entry “Collapse”, which was screened in competition at the festival, said that through his participation in GFF and Dubai International Film Festival he was able to take his film to a global audience in addition to strengthening his skills as a film-maker. “For us in Iraq, we make films with meager resources and do not even have a theatre infrastructure. Festivals like GFF help us to attract a wider audience.” Gulf Nights ‘Gulf Nights,' a discussion forum of filmmakers, critics, media and movie-goers, at the festival, said Gulf cinema has evolved considerably in the past ten years. The fourth ‘Gulf Nights' focused on ‘Gulf Cinema 2000-2010' and was an insightful session that charted the evolution of cinema in the region in the past decade. Most participants said that Gulf cinema has broken its mould and with continued support, it can offer a credible alternative in the cinema experience for the 300 million people in the larger Middle East region. The third edition of the Gulf Film Festival ended Wednesday.
