Dubai Film Fest 2009 makes business of USD 2 million

Dubai: The 2009 edition of Dubai Film Festival (DIFF) has raked in a business of over USD 2 million with distributors in India, Australia and US buying rights of over 130 Gulf-based films. Dubai Film Market, the trading and distribution platform at DIFF, signed agreements for distribution rights for theatre screens and television in these countries.

DIFF 2009, that concluded last year in December, held more than 3,352 screenings for over 210 industry professionals at its buyer-seller interaction initiatives --Cinetech and Market Lounge. The Dubai Film Market also successfully participated in bringing together distributors like Gulf Films and Filmworks for the UAE theatrical trade of the movies. Leading distributor Shoreline Entertainment (USA) has acquired the worldwide rights for documentary films `City of Life` and `Corso: The Last Beat` and is currently negotiating the acquisition of further DIFF titles. Another distributor Teleview, in partnership with Vintage Films, finalized the deal for `Middle East with Wild Bunch`. The deal covers all rights (theatrical, pay TV, free to air and home video) and also includes various upcoming titles including `Largo Winch 2` starring Sharon Stone, `The Killer Inside Me` with Jessica Alba, Casey Affleck and Kate Hudson, and `Burnt By the Sun 2: Exodus` which will also be showcased at Cannes 2010. Hussain Amarshi from Mongrel Media confirmed the acquisition of two Cinetech films at the Dubai Film Market. The films `Picture Me` and `Women without Men` were acquired for the Canadian territory. Negotiations are still on for three more DIFF films. Rotana Studios has acquired co-production market of the festival, Dubai Film Connection and film `Amreeka` for theatrical, Home Video and TV distribution in the Middle East. Falcon Films acquired `Wendy and Lucy` for distribution in the Middle East through pay TV and free to air. PTI