By Reem Saleh in Abu Dhabi

We met with some of the talented student filmmakers in competition at the Emirates Film Competition (EFC) program.

Film: Dreams in their eyes
Directors: Abeer Al Marzooqi, Ayesha Al Ameri, Khawla Al Mamaari
Synopsis: This short documentary portrays the stories of three children in different Palestinian refugee camps around Lebanon suffering from diseases too costly to treat.

Directors: We wanted to make a film in which we can provide support to people. So we teamed up with an NGO in the US and they supported us to go to Lebanon and film inside the camp, it was a thrilling experience and a rich learning process. This is also our first film, we’re so excited to hear people’s reactions.

Film: Enough is enough
Director: Aisha Al Hammadi
DOP: Sara Al Naqbi
Synopsis: This documentary follows the lives of five Emiratis who wish to break the silence in their society by defending the rights of their foreign mothers and expressing how they feel about being bilingual.

Aisha: This is my second participation in ADFF. I am more excited this time; I came back with more experience and awareness of the steps to follow in a film festival. And I hope the film will participate in more festivals in the UAE.

Aisha Al Hammadi

Sara: This is my first participation in a film festival. I realized that there’s a lot I can do as a DOP and looking forward to direct my first film soon.

Sara Al Naqbi

Film: Beautiful People
Director: Mariam Al Nuaimi, Suqrat Bin Bisher
Synopsis: With the help of volunteers, people with special needs are able to expose their emotions and hidden talents in art in this short documentary

Mariam: I hope to raise awareness with this film on the people with special needs for a smoother integration in society.

Mariam Al Nuaimi

Film: Three dolls and a paper plane
Director: Hend Al Fahad
Synopsis: Hend Al Fahad sheds light on the limitations of opportunities for women professionally and socially, and how they are perceived by society

Hend: I wish with this film to raise the voice of women for equal opportunities with men. The festival has been offering us a great platform to showcase our work in front of international audiences.

Hend Al Fahad