Emirati filmmaker Ali Mostafa on Dubai International Film Festival's return: ‘I have been praying for this moment'
Dubai: For Emirati filmmaker Ali Mostafa , the return of the Dubai International Film Festival is about far more than the revival of a familiar name. Mostafa premiered his landmark film City of Life at the festival in 2009, an experience he credits with helping him establish himself as a filmmaker. So when the Dubai Media Council announced on Thursday that DIFF would return for its 15th edition…
Emirati filmmaker Ali Mostafa is overjoyed about the return of the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) for its 15th edition, set to take place on December 8, 2027. Mostafa, who premiered his landmark film City of Life at the festival in 2009, views the festival's return as more than just the revival of a once familiar name.
In fact, he has been praying for its return since it closed down after 14 editions. Mostafa told Gulf News, "I have been praying for the return of the festival since it closed. I hope it returns in the exact format and glory."
The Dubai International Film Festival, which launched in 2004, played a pivotal role in promoting Arab and international cinema. The festival served as a platform for filmmakers, stars, and industry figures to converge in Dubai, contributing to the city's cinematic story. Mostafa's City of Life, which depicted the intertwined lives of three Dubai residents, was a significant milestone in the city's cinematic history.
Premièring the film at DIFF exposed it to international audiences, providing a platform for local filmmaking talent.
The new edition of DIFF is poised to build upon its legacy while embracing the changing landscape of the film industry. Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council, emphasized the festival's intention to focus on Middle Eastern cinema and talent, while simultaneously forging stronger connections between filmmakers, producers, investors, and international markets.
Hesham Sultan Al Olama, CEO of the Dubai Films and Games Commission, stated that DIFF's return would inject fresh momentum into Dubai and the region's cinematic landscape. The festival's renewed presence would create new opportunities for filmmakers and bolster the international reach of regional cinema.
For Mostafa, the return of DIFF holds immense significance, not just for the film itself but also for aspiring filmmakers from the UAE. The filmmaker is already working on his sequel to City of Life, titled City of Life 2, which is already complete. He expressed his eagerness to unveil the sequel at the festival's 2027 reunion, stating, "My City of Life 2 is already complete, so I can't wait a year."
Mostafa is already contemplating future editions of DIFF, and he couldn't be more thrilled about the festival's return to Dubai. He exclaimed, "DIFF returning to UAE is the best news ever."
Written by urgent.news from Gulf News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
