Everything You Need To Know About The Dubai Film Festival

It’s almost time for one of Dubai’s most anticipated events of the year: the Dubai International Film Festival. Bringing together some of the biggest filmmakers in the region, exclusive screenings and a series of awards, this is the biggest happening in the city when it comes to film. The 14th edition of the event will take place from December 6–13, and Dubai is already buzzing with excitement.

Every year, the Dubai International Film Festival brings to the city some of the biggest stars from around the globe and screens much-anticipated international and Arabic films. This has become one of the city’s staple events and has residents and visitors counting down the days for its beginning. DIFF 2016 hosted A-listers such as Maria Bravo, Eva Longoria, Melanie Griffith, Anastacia and more – and the 2017 edition of the event won’t be any different.

The event’s panels take place in DIFF HQ, in Souk Madinat Jumeirah – one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city. This is a great chance to rub shoulders with some of the biggest names in the film industry. This year’s panels will cover topics such as Different Reality, Finance and (Co)Production, and Art & Craft. This is a unique way for film lovers to grasp a deeper understanding of cinematography from the best producers and filmmakers from around the world.

Another guest of honor at the event will be Cate Blanchett. The Oscar winner is a IWC Brand Ambassador and will take part in the jury for the award that celebrates aspiring Gulf Filmmakers. The winner for this award will receive US$100,000.

The festival offers screenings all over the city, where the public can purchase tickets to watch the best documentaries and films from the region and globally. Perhaps the movie that has DIFF most excited is the gala screening of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. The film is expected to close the festival and will hopefully bring some famous faces to Dubai.

Other big American movies that will be shown in gala screenings are James Franco’s The Disaster Artist and Guillermo del Toro’s The Shape of Water. Tickets are available to the public in bundles, where ticket holders can watch movies all over Dubai in the regular screenings, or purchase tickets for the gala screenings. People can even purchase the Red Carpet Gala package for an opportunity to mingle with the biggest names in film.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.