DUBAI — The first selection of films in the Official Gulf Shorts Competition at the sixth edition of the Gulf Film Festival to be held from April 11 to 17 has been announced. This year has seen the highest number of entries in the festival’s run.



For the public, who can watch all the films for free, GFF 2013 will present the best in Gulf short film-making and showcase independent films from the Gulf’s established and emerging creative talent, which has grown considerably since the festival began back in 2008.



GFF’s Official Gulf Shorts Competition segment will screen a total of 35 films; 14 of which originate from the UAE and will be announced shortly.



Masoud Amralla Al Ali, GFF Festival Director said: “GFF’s Official Gulf Shorts Competition is an ideal hub for filmmakers to hone their art and broaden their visiability by showcasing their latest work to peers, industry professionals and the general public. This year’s line-up represents a diverse array of talent including past contenders and filmmakers new to GFF which will give audiences an exciting overview of creativity in the region.”



Saudi Arabia filmmaker Bader Alhomoud, a winner at the inaugural GFF back in 2008 in the Official Gulf Students Competition, presents his latest short Scrap. The touching story focuses on a mother and daughter who live of metals scraps they collect and sell.



Double award winner in the student category at GFF 2012, Iraqi filmmaker Hashim Al-Efari returns this year to compete with some of the Gulf’s seasoned filmmakers. Bedouin Woman, documents the unity among Iraqis of different ethnic backgrounds in their struggle to save a Kurdish child after he was injured in a government clash against Kurds in 1988.



Born in Beirut and of Iraqi origin, Rania M. Tawfik first came onto the GFF radar in 2012 with the critically acclaimed documentary A Light Breeze which was awarded Best Short Film in the Official Gulf Student Competition.



She joins the competitive race with her latest highly anticipated film Under The Skies, which takes audiences on a mesmerizing journey of creation.



Qatari filmmaker Mohammed Al Ibrahim returns to GFF his year with his latest short Bidoon which focuses on the complications when two students from different social backgrounds fall in love and want to get married.



Newcomer to GFF Ali Al-Anssari, joins the competition with Ain (I), this complex short puts the spotlight on a tormented psycho as he recalls the moments leading up to his crime.



Independent Kuwaiti filmmaker Meqdad Al-Kout is no stranger to GFF after winning the Special Jury Prize back in 2009 for Best Director for his film Banana. His past work has screened at many festivals around the world including Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival. Dinosaur is his latest short that explores the career of a government employee who strives to change his job title before his retirement.



Also hailing from Kuwait, Abdulmohsin Abduljader explores the life of a single mother, who’s trying to take care of her child, when a mysterious event occurs in the compelling Vanish.



And in Void, Jassim Al Nofaly Omani director and screenwriter based in Kuwait explores the conflicts that arise within the mind of Adam who is confronted with complexities of his life.



Among the more experienced film directors screening their films this year include Saudi Arabian film writer and director Hamzah Jamjoom who presents Factory of Lies, a riveting story of greed, deception and murder on the streets of Chicago.



Iraqi-American documentary film-maker and experimental musician Nadia Shihab’s lyrical and intimate documentary, Amal’s Garden is the unexpected portrait of an aging couple moving forward in a new Iraq.



Award winning director and writer Bahaa Al Kadimy returns to Dubai with Men’s Only which takes us on set as five theater actors decide during a rehearsal to revolt against their director.



Also from Iraq, filmmaker and screenwriter Kamiran Betasi will showcase his complex and thought-provoking short film Silhouette that explores the theme of hope and how people try and move forward, creating a new life out of death.



GFF offers the very best in cinema from around the GCC region. For more information please check the festival website on: www.gulffilmfest.com — SG