Finally winding down from a crazy fun time at the Dubai International Film Festival. What an extravagant set-up and what an exciting city. Being in Dubai at this time is like witnessing history being built. Hundreds of cranes fill the horizon as hundreds of new buildings pop up in this desert by the beach.
The festival was a lot of fun. I didn't get to see many films, but I got to meet a bunch of exciting people with a lot of enthusiasm. The organizers of the festival have really put an effort to make you feel welcome. First class treatment and a great place to motivate the future of Arabic cinema and cross-cultural diversity.
We premiered Captain Abu Raed at the festival, and the crowd was fantastic. We had a full house of 400 people, with a mixture of people who'd heard about the film and some who knew nothing about it. I was really pleased at the laughter and the tears that resulted in a beautiful finale and a long standing ovation. A very special moment and the first sign of success for our special little film.
And we picked up the Best Actor Award for our fantastic Nadim Sawalha (Abu Raed) at the end of the festival. I think this is just the beginning for things to come.
The buzz around the festival was circulating about Abu Raed, and that makes me smile. Next stop... Sundance!!!
