Dubai International Film Festival chairman Abdul Hamid Juma and artistic director Masoud Amralla Al Ali were awarded the inaugural Hollywood Reporter Award for Arab Cinema Personality of the Year at the ongoing Berlin International Film Festival.
The award, which was handed out in collaboration with Arab Cinema Center, was given in recognition of Diff’s impact on the development of regional cinema.
Juma said: “It’s a true honour for Diff to be selected for this award and a special moment as we prepare to enter our 15th edition. Over the past 15 years, we have been lucky enough to support the regional film industry through a period of immense growth.
“The presentation of this award at the Berlin International Film Festival is also a clear mark of the expanding presence of Arab cinema on the world stage. I would like to extend my thanks to the Arab Cinema Center and The Hollywood Reporter for that recognition of everything the dedicated Diff team have achieved.”
Ali said: “The increasing role that Arab cinema is playing in the global film industry is a true testament to the incredible talent in the region.”
“Supporting the next generation of Arab filmmakers sits at the heart of Diff and we are excited to embark on our fifteenth edition later this year, which will share the latest and greatest of regional cinema with the world,” he added.
Organised by Mad Solutions in 2015, Arab Cinema Center is an international promotional platform for regional cinema, which aims to provide the filmmaking industry with a professional window to connect with counterparts from across the globe.
