The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) has announced a new partnership with the Festival Biarritz Amerique Latine, which is an important festival of reference for Latin American cinema held annually in Biarritz, France. The partnership is the first of its kind for DIFF, and takes the form of an exchange, with each festival offering exhibition space to select films.
Biarritz Film Festival is the most attractive French event dedicated to Latin American films. It presents its yearly selections of some 80 movies with various competitions, special focus, tributes and avant-premieres.
Biarritz Film Festival shows not only the best of Latin American productions but also provides the perfect venue for discovering Latin American cultures with exhibitions, meeting with Latin American authors, conferences and concerts.
During the Festival Biarritz Amerique Latine that runs from 30 September to 6 October 2013, one of DIFF’s Arab films and its director will be showcased. In return, the French festival will select a Latin American producer interested in co-production with the Arab world to attend DIFF’s Dubai Film Connection project market and the Dubai Film Market during DIFF’s 2013 edition from 6 to 14 December 2013.
“With this mutually beneficial partnership, Arab cinema will continue to travel outside of the region to Europe and on to Latin America. Conversely, the Latin American films that are selected in Biarritz will gain exposure to the Middle Eastern and South Asian markets that are on DIFF’s doorstep.
“DIFF has always sought to leverage Dubai’s position as a crossroads, and this bridge to Europe and Latin American is another welcome pathway for Arab cinema to reach the world,’ says Shivani Pandya, DIFF’s managing director.
Marc Bonduel, managing director of Festival Biarritz Amerique Latine, adds: “We are thrilled to be collaborating with the Dubai International Film Festival, the leading festival in the Middle East. This partnership will offer Latin American films selected in Biarritz a new world visibility beyond the French and European markets.’
