Abu Dhabi Film Festival runs from October 11-20, 2012.
How do I buy tickets?
There are a couple of different ways to get tickets to the films. You can head to the box offices, one of which is currently open at the Marina Mall and one at Emirates Palace (opening on Thursday). You can also buy single tickets online at www.adff.ae.
The standard price is Dh30 per film, although students can get a ticket for Dh20 and it's free for kids ages two to five (although they must be accompanied by an adult).
You can also pick up a festival pass, giving you access to all the films (except the opening and closing nights and awards ceremony), or a 10-voucher package for Dh250.
Finally, any available tickets for sold out screenings might become available on the festival website at 12.01am on the morning of the screening. For those in the standby queue at the box office, some tickets will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis 15 minutes before the film starts.
Where is it happening?
This year, the festival screenings are taking place across just two venues, Vox Cinemas in Marina Mall and the Emirates Palace. Naturally, it's the Emirates Palace that will be hosting the red carpet affairs and big gala screenings, alongside the special events, masterclasses and workshops. But there will also be assorted family-friendly film-based activities going on at the Marina Mall for you to get involved in, including Family Day on Saturday, with live entertainment, face-painting and the chance for kids to walk the red carpet. Parking is available at both venues.
Any places to eat at?
There are over 48 cafes and restaurants at Marina Mall to choose from, with plenty of options in the food court for a quick pre-film bite. The offerings at Emirates Palace are, predictably, of the more high-end and pricey variety, such as the romantic beachside grill of BBQ Al Qasr or Chinese delights at Hakkasan, but great if you really want to make a night of it. Just remember to finish up before the screening starts or they'll give your ticket away.
When should I arrive at the cinema?
We recommend getting to each screening at least 15 minutes before it starts, or there's the danger that your ticket will be given away to those poor souls waiting in the standby queue.
What should I look forward to?
All of it, of course! OK, perhaps you can't see everything, but why not use the opportunity to watch a few films that are unlikely to be coming to your local megaplex anytime soon. Have at look at some of the regional documentaries on offer, or the various Algerian films in celebration of the country's 50th anniversary of independence, or even one of the digitally restored classics.
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Dolittle
Director: Stephen Gaghan
Stars: Robert Downey Jr, Michael Sheen
One-and-a-half out of five stars
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Itcan profile
Founders: Mansour Althani and Abdullah Althani
Based: Business Bay, with offices in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and India
Sector: Technology, digital marketing and e-commerce
Size: 70 employees
Revenue: On track to make Dh100 million in revenue this year since its 2015 launch
Funding: Self-funded to date
FINAL SCORES
Fujairah 130 for 8 in 20 overs
(Sandy Sandeep 29, Hamdan Tahir 26 no, Umair Ali 2-15)
Sharjah 131 for 8 in 19.3 overs
(Kashif Daud 51, Umair Ali 20, Rohan Mustafa 2-17, Sabir Rao 2-26)
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