Written by Reem Saleh, New Media, DFI

Wandering around the Gulf Film Festival, one can’t but enjoy the cozy atmosphere described as “home” by many of the GCC artists I met. There’s clearly an attempt at directing the spotlight towards Khaliji film makers, and as Massoud Amr Allah, festival director, stated in his interview to DFI, “They are the stars on the red carpet not shadowed by other celebrities”..

The Gulf Film Festival focuses on new talent learning from those with more experience. Late night panels ended up with filmmakers sitting on the floor, drinking tea, chatting and showing each other their work. Their films portray a culture they understand and identify with. There’s a thirst to learn the best of cinema.

Over the week-long festival, over 155 films from 40 nations were screened for free to the public, with a strong audience turnout. Additionally, 153 vignettes crafted by avant-garde French filmmaker Gerard Courant, including 134 four-minute personal sketches of UAE residents and GFF guests were screened. GFF 2012 also screened 39 films in the “Cherries of Kiarostami” programme, a culmination of a 10-day master-class conducted by the renowned Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami at the festival last year.

Yesterday, the 5th edition wrapped up with an award ceremony presented by His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum with prizes worth over half a million dirhams.

It opened with special recognition to the veteran Kuwaiti actor Saad Al Faraj who also started in the opening film “Tora Bora”.

For a full list of awards, check here.