Dubai Culture Extends Deadline For Submissions For Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Patrons Of The Arts Awards 2011

The deadline for the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum Patrons of the Arts Awards, organised by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), has been extended until February 15, 2011.

Submissions can be made online at the dedicated website of the Patrons of the Arts Awards, www.patronsofthearts.ae by individuals or organisations who have made their contributions towards promoting visual arts, performing arts, literature, and film in Dubai.

The Awards are presented in four categories: ‘Distinguished Patrons of the Arts,’ ‘Patrons of the Arts,’ ‘Supporters of the Arts,’ and ‘Friends of the Arts.’ The Distinguished Patrons of the Arts, who have contributed over AED 5 million, will be presented to individuals or organisations for their work across the past three years, from 2008 to 2010. In the other three categories, the evaluation will be based on their contribution during 2010.

Saeed Al Nabouda, Acting Director General of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, said the deadline for applying for the Awards has been extended following overwhelming response from organisations and patrons. “The new deadline will offer more opportunities for patrons as well as art galleries and cultural organisations to take part in the Awards.”

He added: “The strong response to the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Patrons of the Arts Awards is a testament to the support for Dubai’s arts and cultural scene extended by individuals and organisations from around the world.”

In its first edition, the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Patrons of the Arts Awards honoured over 50 individuals and organisations for together contributing about AED 250 million to Dubai’s cultural scene from 2007 to 2009.

The Award was announced in 2009 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President & Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. A first of its kind initiative, the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Patrons of the Arts Awards is an annual award that will honour and recognize individuals, businesses or organizations for their financial or in kind contributions to the arts in Dubai and their sustained support.

 

Dubai Culture Opens On-Line Submissions For The Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Patrons Of The Arts Awards 2011

The Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), dedicated to promoting culture, heritage and the arts in the Emirate, has opened online submissions for the second edition of the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Patrons of the Arts Awards 2011.

The pioneering initiative in the Arab world, the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Patrons of the Arts Awards are presented to organisations and individuals, who make financial or in-kind contributions to promoting the cultural scene of Dubai.

Patrons can now apply for the awards at its dedicated website, www.patronsofthearts.ae for their contributions towards promoting visual arts, performing arts, literature, and film in Dubai from January 1 to December 31, 2010. Additionally, art galleries and other cultural organisations can nominate their patrons for the Awards on-line. The deadline for the submissions is January 31, 2011.

In the first edition of the awards, Dubai Culture had honoured over 50 art patrons in four categories – ‘Distinguished Patrons of the Arts,’ ‘Patrons of the Arts,’ ‘Supporters of the Arts,’ and ‘Friends of the Arts.’ Together, the awardees had contributed about AED 250 million towards the arts sector of Dubai from 2007 to 2009.

The Distinguished Patrons of the Arts, who have contributed over AED 5 million, will be presented to individuals or organisations for their work across the past three years, from 2008 to 2010. In the other three categories, the evaluation will be based on their contribution during this year.

Saeed Al Nabouda, Acting Director General of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, said: “The Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Patrons of the Arts Awards plays a powerful and transformative role in stimulating the cultural scene of Dubai. It not only encourages the patrons to extend further support to various artforms in the Emirate but also provides the right incentive and platform for the artistic community to create original content. This in turn will have a far-reaching impact in attracting global attention.”

He added: “As we enter the second edition of the Awards, we are further easing the convenience of the patrons by opening online submissions through a dedicated website and an easy to complete step-by-step application process. This online initiative is part of our commitment to support the Dubai Government drive in promoting e-services to all stakeholders.”

The Award was announced in 2009 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President & Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and is envisaged to engage and sustain the interest of the public to participate more actively in supporting cultural initiatives.
 

DIFF 2010 Muhr Awards Submissions Close On Aug.31

Submissions for the prestigious Muhr Awards, the in-competition honours at the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) 2010, will close on August 31, 2010. Filmmakers from across the Arab world, Asia and Africa can submit their entries at www.dubaifilmfest.com. This year, DIFF has also introduced the Muhr Awards for Emirati filmmakers to recognize UAE-based filmmaking talent.

The entries will be evaluated by a jury of eminent film professionals during DIFF’s seventh edition to be held from December 12 to 19, 2010. In all, the Muhr Awards carry a prize money of about US$600,000, which will be distributed at the closing ceremony of DIFF 2010.

DIFF Artistic Director Masoud Amralla Al Ali said that the response to the Muhr Awards has been overwhelming. “We have received entries from around the world, highlighting the increasing appeal of DIFF’s in-competition awards as a mark of excellence in filmmaking in the UAE, Arab world, Asia and Africa. The Muhr Awards have been a stepping stone to global recognition for its past winners, and open new windows of opportunity and a flourishing film career for the filmmakers.”

The Muhr Awards are presented in three segments: Muhr Arab Awards honouring the finest features, documentaries and shorts from the Arab world; the Muhr AsiaAfrica Awards for the best in cinema from Asia and Africa, and the Muhr Awards for Emirati filmmakers.

Cash prizes and the coveted Muhr trophy will be handed over in the categories of Feature, Documentary and Short films. Entries towards the Muhr Arab competition are also eligible for the Prize of the International Critics offered by the prestigious International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI), a DIFF partner. 

The Awards for Features include: Best Film, Special Jury Prize, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Scriptwriter, Best Editor, Best Composer and Best Cinematographer.

The Awards in Documentary are: First Prize; Special Jury Prize and Second Prize; and the awards in Short Films are: First Prize; Special Jury Prize and Second Prize.

For the Muhr Awards for Emirati Filmmakers, 15 Emirati films including feature, short and documentary will be short-listed for the first, second and third prize from any of the three filmmaking categories. The segment has a total prize money of AED 75,000.

Films eligible for the Muhr Arab and AsiaAfrica Awards must be directed by an Arab, Asian or African filmmaker and the subject and storyline of the film must be centered on the Arab, Asian or African world and/or history and culture for the respective competitions.

They must be produced after September 1, 2009 and must not have been screened in the Gulf region for any audiences before DIFF, with the exception of projects that have participated in the third edition of the Gulf Film Festival (GFF).

Films from outside of the Gulf region must be Gulf premieres and films from the Gulf region must be UAE premieres. Until the end of DIFF, films must not have been broadcasted via television, internet, mobile phone or any other public viewing platform.

Shortlisted projects will be announced in November 2010, and films that do not meet with the competition criteria and have not been screened in the UAE can be submitted for consideration in DIFF’s ‘Out of Competition’ segments.

Last year, DIFF received over 900 entries from more than 62 nations across Asia, Africa, the Americas, Australia and Europe in three categories for the Muhr Awards.

DIFF 2010 is held in association with Dubai Studio City and supported by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority. Dubai Duty Free, Dubai Pearl, Emirates Airline and Madinat Jumeirah are the principal sponsors of DIFF.

DIFF 2010 Muhr Awards Submissions Close On Aug. 31

Submissions for the prestigious Muhr Awards, the in-competition honours at the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) 2010, will close on August 31, 2010. Filmmakers from across the Arab world, Asia and Africa can submit their entries at www.dubaifilmfest.com. This year, DIFF has also introduced the Muhr Awards for Emirati filmmakers to recognize UAE-based filmmaking talent.

The entries will be evaluated by a jury of eminent film professionals during DIFF’s seventh edition to be held from December 12 to 19, 2010. In all, the Muhr Awards carry a prize money of about US$600,000, which will be distributed at the closing ceremony of DIFF 2010.

DIFF Artistic Director Masoud Amralla Al Ali said that the response to the Muhr Awards has been overwhelming. “We have received entries from around the world, highlighting the increasing appeal of DIFF’s in-competition awards as a mark of excellence in filmmaking in the UAE, Arab world, Asia and Africa. The Muhr Awards have been a stepping stone to global recognition for its past winners, and open new windows of opportunity and a flourishing film career for the filmmakers.”

The Muhr Awards are presented in three segments: Muhr Arab Awards honouring the finest features, documentaries and shorts from the Arab world; the Muhr AsiaAfrica Awards for the best in cinema from Asia and Africa, and the Muhr Awards for Emirati filmmakers.

Cash prizes and the coveted Muhr trophy will be handed over in the categories of Feature, Documentary and Short films. Entries towards the Muhr Arab competition are also eligible for the Prize of the International Critics offered by the prestigious International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI), a DIFF partner.

The Awards for Features include: Best Film, Special Jury Prize, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Scriptwriter, Best Editor, Best Composer and Best Cinematographer.

The Awards in Documentary are: First Prize; Special Jury Prize and Second Prize; and the awards in Short Films are: First Prize; Special Jury Prize and Second Prize.

For the Muhr Awards for Emirati Filmmakers, 15 Emirati films including feature, short and documentary will be short-listed for the first, second and third prize from any of the three filmmaking categories. The segment has a total prize money of AED 75,000.

Films eligible for the Muhr Arab and AsiaAfrica Awards must be directed by an Arab, Asian or African filmmaker and the subject and storyline of the film must be centered on the Arab, Asian or African world and/or history and culture for the respective competitions.

They must be produced after September 1, 2009 and must not have been screened in the Gulf region for any audiences before DIFF, with the exception of projects that have participated in the third edition of the Gulf Film Festival (GFF).

Films from outside of the Gulf region must be Gulf premieres and films from the Gulf region must be UAE premieres. Until the end of DIFF, films must not have been broadcasted via television, internet, mobile phone or any other public viewing platform.

Shortlisted projects will be announced in November 2010, and films that do not meet with the competition criteria and have not been screened in the UAE can be submitted for consideration in DIFF’s ‘Out of Competition’ segments.

Last year, DIFF received over 900 entries from more than 62 nations across Asia, Africa, the Americas, Australia and Europe in three categories for the Muhr Awards.

DIFF 2010 is held in association with Dubai Studio City and supported by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority. Dubai Duty Free, Dubai Pearl, Emirates Airline and Madinat Jumeirah are the principal sponsors of DIFF.