Egyptian film critic, Samir Farid, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the
10th Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), running from 6 to 14 December, in
recognition of his valuable contribution to cinema.
Abdulhamid Juma, DIFF chairman, says: “Samir Farid is a giant in his field, and has
been tireless in promoting cinema, both within the Arab world and beyond, for fifty
years. The Lifetime Achievement Award honours his passion for Arab cinema, which
we at DIFF hold as part of our core ethos.
“Only someone with this analytical gift can articulate the characteristics of a national
cinema, define the oeuvre of a director, or ensure that a small gem that may not have
had much box office success will be remembered for its artistic merit alone.’
Fareed, who has written about Arab cinema, served on international film juries and
founded a number of festivals and unions over the past 50 years, says of the award:
“It’s a great honour from a great festival that was a turning point in the region
towards the cinema as an expression of modernity, and an expression of Dubai’s
pivotal role in the region and internationally.”
Presented by The Investment Corporation of Dubai and held in association with Dubai
Studio City, DIFF provides an important platform for Arab filmmakers, exposing the
regions cinema movement to an international audience. Principal sponsors of the
festival are Dubai Duty Free, Emirates Airline and Madinat Jumeirah.
Visit www.diff.ae for information on DIFF.
