Al Marmoom festival honours filmmakers

The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) concluded the fourth edition of the Al Marmoom: Film in the Desert 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, where “Investigation” by director Marwan Chiguer secured first place, followed by “Refractions” by Saif Abdulla in second, and “Stranger in My House,” by Ahmed Saber in third.

Dr Saeed Mubarak Bin Kharbash, CEO of the Arts, Design, and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, attended the ceremony, which also honoured winners of the photography competition.

Abdullah Al Shehi claimed first place, with Latifa Al Roumani, Abdulrahim Al Hammadi, and Fares Al Marashly securing second, third, and fourth places, respectively.

Their works showcased the natural beauty of the Al Marmoom Desert.

Additionally, the ceremony recognised Emirati filmmaker Hussein Al Ansari, festival sponsors, and members of the judging panel, which included prominent industry figures such as Hani Alshaibani, Haidar Mohamad, Hanan Ghaith, Suzan Najmeddin, Morcous Adel, Mohamed Salama, Alaa Al Anssari, Mariam Al Serkal and Wael Attili.

Maitha Ali Al Blooshi, Manager of Events Section at Dubai Culture and Project Manager of Al Marmoom: Film in the Desert Festival, highlighted the festival’s role in establishing Dubai as a global cultural hub, nurturing creativity, and supporting emerging talents.

She emphasised the event’s success in enhancing Dubai’s cinematic landscape and cultural sector, describing it as a platform for celebrating and empowering filmmakers, saying: “The festival offered participants a unique space to explore advanced filmmaking techniques and discover opportunities within the cultural and creative industries,” while praising the contributions of volunteers in ensuring a seamless experience for attendees.

The fourth edition screened more than 80 films by Emirati, Gulf, Arab, and international filmmakers.

Highlights included “Journey to the Stars” by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, which documented the UAE’s achievements in space exploration, such as the historic missions of Sultan Al Neyadi and Hazzaa Al Mansoori.

The festival also showcased two short films by Emirati director Hussein Al Ansari, among others.

Under the theme “Where Stories Come To Life,” the festival featured over 30 workshops, panels, and discussions connecting emerging talents with industry experts.

Its diverse programme included digital art exhibitions, music and heritage performances, and innovative experiences such as AI-powered filmmaking and stargazing through a planetarium.

The festival was held in collaboration with an extensive list of partners, including Dubai Mounted Police, Dubai Municipality, Dubai Ambulance, Dubai Police, Dubai Civil Defence, the Roads and Transport Authority, the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai, Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, The Climate Tribe, Lina Kattan, Emirates Airlines, Zayed University, Sandooq Al Watan, Emirates Photography Society, Maraya, Freej, Ferjan Dubai, and Immersee.

While inaugurating the festival, bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) had emphasised that Dubai has excelled in attracting leading directors and talents in the film industry thanks to its extensive capabilities, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and unique creative environment that fosters innovation.

She highlighted that, through its ambitious projects and initiatives, the emirate continues to enhance its global leadership, solidify its standing as a cultural and artistic capital, and establish itself as a premier destination for cinematic content creation and production.

“Cinema is one of the most powerful expressions of human creativity, distinguished by its unique visual language that seamlessly blends technical mastery with artistic purpose. It has the profound ability to shape generations rooted in values while addressing the aspirations and challenges of societies and preserving the rich history and culture of nations,” Sheikha Latifa said.

“The Al Marmoom: Film in the Desert festival is a remarkable addition to Dubai’s artistic and cinematic landscape through its exceptional cultural experiences and high-quality cinematic works, celebrating the authenticity of Dubai’s identity, vibrant energy, and ambitious future aspirations.”

“Reflecting the beauty of our heritage, the essence of our culture, and the depth of our history, the festival’s significance lies in its role as a catalyst for intellectual dialogue, a bridge for cultural exchange, and a source of inspiration for emerging talents,” she added.