ABU DHABI // One of the most important events in the UAE's culture calendar, the 5th Abu Dhabi Film Festival, has opened its doors for business.
From today, amateur and professional directors from around the globe will have the opportunity to submit their films for consideration in categories such as the Afaq Jadida (New Horizons) Competition and The Emirates Film Competition.
And while the total prize money for the festival - which will once again be directed by Peter Scarlet - continues to stand at over $1million, this year’s ceremony will see the introduction of several new awards.
Changes in the Narrative, Documentary, Short Films, and Afaq Jadida (New Horizons) Competitions have been made with the aim of giving all the filmmakers involved in the festival the same opportunity, the organisers said. The changes will also increase Arab filmmakers chances of taking home an award, with more emphasis being placed on the Arab film industry.
Of the new awards that have been added to the program, filmmakers will now be able to compete in the Best Producer from the Arab World and Special Jury Awards.
The deadline for submissions is July 1.
Libya's Gold
UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.
The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.
Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.
Thor: Love and Thunder
Director: Taika Waititi
Stars: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Christian Bale, Russell Crowe, Tessa Thompson, Taika Waititi
Rating: 4/5
SPECS
Engine: 4-litre V8 twin-turbo
Power: 630hp
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic automatic
Price: From Dh599,000
On sale: Now
The biog
Name: Gul Raziq
From: Charsadda, Pakistan
Family: Wife and six children
Favourite holes at Al Ghazal: 15 and 8
Golf Handicap: 6
Childhood sport: cricket
The Lowdown
Us
Director: Jordan Peele
Starring: Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Shahadi Wright Joseqph, Evan Alex and Elisabeth Moss
Rating: 4/5
Dunbar
Edward St Aubyn
Hogarth
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