META Film Fest, the internationally acclaimed motion picture gala, is gearing up for its highly anticipated second edition, scheduled at VOX Cinemas in Wafi City, Dubai, from November 9 to 12.
The festival is expected to be a global celebration of cinema, offering a diverse lineup of films, a distinguished international jury, and an array of special events tailored for film enthusiasts.
The festival will present a total of 95 films hailing from 32 different nations, with 29 films debuting as special festival premieres.
The remaining 66 films will compete across various categories, encompassing Feature, Short, Documentary, and Student films.
Diverse films at META Film Fest
This year, META Film Fest stands out for its increased inclusion of Arabic titles, with a remarkable 30 Arabic films gracing the festival’s lineup.
Key entries in the Full Feature Films category include Black Night, a Turkish film directed by Özcan Alper, Bodyguard from Kazakhstan directed by Akan Satayev, and the French film Our Ties, directed by Roschdy Zem.
Snow and the Bear, a Turkish film starring Merve Dizdar, who claimed the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival, is another notable addition.
A selection of these films will make their official world premieres at the META Film Fest. Among them, two Kuwaiti titles, Akh with its world premiere and How I Got There with its UAE premiere, are expected to surprise and captivate the audience.
World premieres and international recognition
Moreover, the Full Feature Film category boasts entries like Sons of Ramses, a French film directed by Clement Cogitore, NO END, a Persian film directed by Nader Saeivar, and JANANAM 1947 PRANAYAM THUDARUNNU, a Malayalam film directed by Abijith Asokan, all making their world premieres at the META Film Fest.
The Persian feature film Endless Borders, directed by Abbas Amini and the recipient of awards at prestigious international film festivals, will take the honour of opening the festival.
The Spanish feature film Virginal Pink, directed by Dennis Smith and featuring Argentine superstar Juana Viale, will have its world premiere at the festival, closing the curtain on META Film Fest.
META Film Fest also welcomes the UK’s official entry to the Oscars in 2023, Winners. Director Hassan Nazer and actor Reza Naji will both be present for the screening.
Short films compete for recognition
In addition to the Full Feature Films, META Film Fest will feature over 25 Short Films, with entries like Fatih the Conqueror, a Turkish film directed by Onur Yagiz, Beneath a Mother’s Feet, an Arabic film directed by Hassan Saeed, And Me, I’m Dancing Too, a Persian film directed by Mohammad Valizadegan, and Palestine 87 competing for recognition.
The festival’s diverse selection extends to approximately 15 Documentary Films, including Dear Memories, a German film directed by Nahuel Lopez, and Earthbound: Nzambi Matee, a Japanese film directed by Farhoud Meybodi, which will be screened in English and Swahili.
META Film Fest takes pride in providing a platform for emerging talent in its Student category.
Six compelling films will compete for an award, with Alaikal, a Malayalam short produced by Dream6, expected to be a standout among them.
Apart from the competition screenings, META Film Fest will host special premieres of notable films, including May December and Seven Winters in Tehran.
The former, directed by Todd Haynes and featuring Natalie Portman, Julianne Moore, and Charles Melton, has been nominated for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
Indian Film Festival with star-studded cast
One of the festival’s highlights is the Indian Film Festival, featuring films like Holy Conspiracy, a Bengali adaptation of the American play Inherit the Wind, starring Indian celebrity couple Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah, who will be in attendance.
Additionally, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, a 2000 Indian English-Hindi bilingual feature film starring South Indian actor Mammootty, will be screened.
Another film to premiere at the festival is Syndrome, directed by Anton Bormatov, exploring the unsettling consequences of a car accident and featuring Oksana Akinshina and Kirill Käro.
META Film Fest promises an exclusive cinematic experience with 14 world premieres and 28 regional premieres, ensuring a rich selection of films for avid film enthusiasts.
Beyond films, the festival offers an array of engaging panels, workshops, and masterclasses. Highlights include a ‘Women in Cinema’ panel, an ‘AI in the Film Industry’ masterclass, and a business and legal aspects of movie production masterclass, all aimed at providing valuable insights and knowledge to festival attendees.
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