The Dubai International Film Festival has revealed the final selection of 18 films to be screened within the Muhr Feature competition. Among the selection, five films are by the Egyptian filmmakers, four of which are world premieres.

Ali, The Goat, And Ibrahim (Ali Mea'za) directed by Sherif Elbendary; Egyptian Jeanne d'Arc by Iman Kamel; Al-Nossour Al-Saghira (The Young Eagles' Association) by Mohamed Rashad; Mawlana (The Preacher by Magdy Ahmed Ali will have world premieres while Mohammed Hammad's Withered Green (Akhdar Yabes) will have their MENA premiere.

The Egyptian films make part of the internationally recognised programme, which, according to the DIFF's press release, "celebrates regional excellence as talented directors reflect their personal experiences of the Arab world through the compelling medium of film."

Among other films participating in Muhr Feature section are Hady Zaccak's Ya Omri (104 wrinkles) from Lebanon; Inhebek Hedi (Hedi), a coproduction of Tunisia, Belgium, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and France; A Maid for Each (Makhdoumin) directed by Maher Abi Samra, coproduced by Lebanon, France, Norway and the United Arab Emirates; political thriller Off Frame aka Revolution Until Victory (Kharej Al-Itar aw Thawra Hata el Nasser) directed by Mohanad Yaqubi and coproduced by France, Palestine, Lebanon and Qatar.

Antoine Khalife, director of the Arab Programme, added: “DIFF’s Muhr Feature programme recognises inventive and distinctive work from the Arab filmmaking world. Shining light on the talent originating from the Arab world, this heavily contested selection of films shares stories and diverse perspectives which unite cultures.”

“It is always a pleasure to work with such a variety of engaging content and this year I've been pleasantly surprised by the variety of films which include a plethora of captivating subjects revolving around identity, memory, power, betrayal, absurdity, frustration, sacrifice and decisions.” 

The 13th edition of the Dubai International Film Festival will take place between 7 December and 14 December.

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