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25 June 08
In a series of special events, BAFTA celebrated Arab cinema’s unique contribution to the global film industry and World Cinema.
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11-14 July 2008 at 195 Piccadilly
BAFTA in association with the Dubai International Film Festival ( DIFF
) celebrated Arab cinema with BAFTA GOES TO THE ARAB WORLD, a four-day event in recognition of Arab cinema’s contribution to the global film industry and World Cinema.
This prestigious event showcased some of the best recent releases from filmmakers who defy simple categorisation. Most screenings were UK Premieres, including the award-winning Captain Abu Raed (Audience Award at Sundance Film Festival, Best Actor Award at the Muhr Awards - Dubai International Film Festival), Under the Bombs (EIUC Award at Venice Film Festival, Winner of the Golden Muhr Award - Dubai International Film Festival), Paloma Delight (Lumiere Awards, France), and two new short film documentaries from emerging Iraqi filmmakers.
The weekend shone a spotlight on the new trend of auteur filmmaking from Egypt through Eye of the Sun, as well as on the well-established and distinctive Syrian auteur cinema, which deserves greater recognition outside of its boundaries, with the screening of Out of Coverage and A Plate of Sardines. It also introduced for the first time to UK audiences The Water Guard, an Emirati short that highlights the Gulf as a new destination for cultural creativity.
The selection of feature films included themes ranging from love, war and friendship to the underworld of crime and sado-masochism. The short films gave a unique perspective on current hot issues in the region as well as an insight into a wide range of filmmaking approaches. Films from Algeria, Tunisia, Lebanon, Palestine, Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Jordan and the Emirates enabled audiences to enjoy a carefully crafted programme with Q&As and a talk charting the 100 years history of Arab cinema.

BAFTA Publishing 2008
Read the event brochure and learn more about Arab cinema
Download as a pdf (5.8 MB)
14-27 July 2008, Liverpool
In recognition of this year’s European and Arab cultural capitals, Liverpool and Damascus, BAFTA Goes to the Arab World features Syrian films by two of Syria’s most eminent directors, and is now on tour in Liverpool as part of the Liverpool Arabic Arts Festival.
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