ADFF Buzz: Ali F Mostafa and Irrfan Khan buddy up at party

Ali F Mostafa. Rebecca Rees for The National

One man is the talk of the town after becoming the first Emirati director to open ADFF, while the other is one of the biggest stars of Indian cinema.

But From A to B's Ali F Mostafa, and The Lunchbox's Irrfan Khan were spotted hanging out chummily, presumably exchanging tips and pleasantries at a post-screening party.

The pair were spotted shoulder to shoulder Sunday night at a Jordanian-themed bash at Emirates Palace, which is hosting the festival.

Who knows what they were talking about – but perhaps a collaboration is in the winds? Stranger things really have happened.

Director’s plea – take a chance on Arabic film

Cinemas need to take a chance on films from the reason, argued one of the Arab world’s best-loved contemporary directors.

Marwan Hamed is the director behind The Yacoubian Building, the 2006 critical smash which is reportedly had the biggest-grossing first week in the history of Egyptian cinema.

But the 32-year-old talent is aware too few of the region’s filmmaking talents enjoy the same such exposure.

“People who own the theaters don’t trust Arab-speaking films,” he said, during an interview at ADFF, where he is president of the Child Protection Awards jury.

“That’s the reason – theaters need to think how to support [regional films] with more screens.

“Think of a supermarket shelf – there always has to be one Arabic film in the cinemas for people to choose it.”

However the problem is not distinct the Arab world – simply more pronounced.

“In France they watch more American films than French films; in Germany more American films than German films – it’s the same everywhere,” the director added.