Abu Dhabi Film Festival 2012: portraits of the people behind it

Hans Burgschmidt, Canadian, the ADFF production director for nine years Favourite film: Baraka, because of its beautiful cinematography and a powerful story told through a wordless narrative of a documentary

Ahmed Ali, Persian-born and raised in Abu Dhabi, student and an ADFF volunteer Favourite film: Step Up 3, because he was impressed with the dancing and its portrayal Favourite actor: Al Pacino (because of his Scarface character) If he were an actor, he'd love to: star in a dance movie because he is a dancer himself.

KinkyD, a British DJ, the ADFF music director Favourite film: the Alien series and the original Terminator Favourite actors (hard to pick just one): Johnny Depp, Tom Hardy, Audrey Hepburn, Charlize Theron If she were an actor, she'd love to: star in a movie with a strong female role

Alexander Haebe from Germany, Emirates Palace executive pastry chef Favourite film: Definitely Mr and Mrs Smith Favourite film: Angelina Jolie If he were an actor, he'd love to: star in a musical love story about a chef

Samaleh Elmi Guessod, from Djibouti, production logistics assistant at ADFF Favourite film: 2012, because it's different and it's a sci-fi If he were an actor, he'd love to: star in a biographical story Last movie he saw: the latest Resident Evil, it was fine

Joshua Amrani, a French-American entrepreneur and producer Favourite film: Casablanca, which was his grandfather's favourite too Favourite actor: Humphrey Bogart Last movie he saw and really liked: Jeux D'Enfant with Marion Cotillard, a romantic indie comedy

Anita Cremer, from Germany, Emirates Palace director of sales and marketing Favourite film: The Way We Were Favourite actors: Anthony Hopkins and Kate Winslet Last movie she saw and loved: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Pawan Kumar, from India, a logistics supervisor for Red Orange Events Rental Favourite film: a Tollywood film, Kushi, a romantic/action story Favourite actor: Pawan Kalyan If he were an actor, he'd love to: star in a love/action story

Jose Hernandez, from the Phillipines, videographer for CapitalD Studio in Dubai Favourite film: the first of the original Star Wars trilogy Last movie he saw and liked: Touchback, an indie film about the importance of choice in a pivotal moment of life

Jihane Bouzakhm, left, from Lebanon, ADFF translator Favourite film: The Devil's Advocate because of its intensity Favourite actor: Pierce Brosnan Last movie she saw: Arbitrage (at the festival) Nagham Sefrawi, right, from Lebanon Favourite film: Godfather Favourite actor: Pierce Brosnan Last movie she saw: Arbitrage (at the festival)

Saman Wasala, right, from Sri Lanka, Emirates Palace pastry chef Favourite film: Mohabaten, a Hindi love story Favourite actress: Julia Roberts Favourite actor: Jean-Claude Van Damme Manraj Aidee, from Nepal, Emirates Palace pastry chef Favourite actors: Angelina Jolie and Sylvester Stallone If he could be an actor he would love to: star in a fast, action movie

Mohamed Irfan, from Pakistan, labourer Favourite film: Tera-Payar-Ma, a Pakistani love story Favorite actor: Pakistan's Zara Sheikh because she's a great actress If he were an actor, he'd love to: play a role in a love story

Since the rolling out of the red carpet, The National's photographer Silvia Razgova has been at Abu Dhabi Film Festival 2012 every day documenting everything that goes into making such an event a success.

Armed only with an iPhone and unorthodox perspective, Silvia was tasked with capturing the behind-the-scenes moments at ADFF. (You can see more of here pictures at Silvia Razgova's ADFF Instagrams)

Here she focuses on the people on the ground that helped to make it all happen: what are their favourite films, their favourite actors and what character they would love to play if they made it in the movies.