Cash prizes worth more than 1 million USD will be given to filmmakers in the upcoming Middle East International Film Festival (MEIFF) to take place in Abu Dhabi between October 10 and 19, 2008. The huge prize sum makes it the largest ever offered for a film festival.
MEIFF will be running its second chapter this year wherein some changes have been incorporated making the festival last ten days instead of five earlier. In addition, an annual date has also been fixed for it.
The festival has in store awards for all kinds of films – feature, documentary and animation. In addition, there will be prizes for short and long films along with student films. A total of 60 films will participate in three competitions viz. 22 short films, 18 long films and 20 student films.
The monetary value of Black Pearl prizes will be divided equally between the producer and the director. There will be awards for best artistic contribution (besides directing and acting) in addition to those for best actor and best actress.
The Middle East International Film Festival consists of the following parts:
• Three competitions of short, long and student films
• A special show program
• Films from the Gulf Cooperation Council
• Arab world programs
• A program that honours two figures – one of them being an Arab
Highlights of MEIFF 2008:
• Environmental programs
• Festival of Festivals – showcasing of films from other festivals
• Films from history
• Competition for advertisements
