The Abu Dhabi Film Festival (ADFF; ), formerly the Middle East International Film Festival (MEIFF), was an international film festival held in the city of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates from 2007 to 2015.

History

The Middle East International Film Festival (MEIFF) debuted in 2007, in an effort to rival the "cultural dominance of Dubai", with 152 movies and 186 screenings shown in five Abu Dhabi venues. It was established with the support of H.E. Mohammed Khalaf AL Mazroui as General Director of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture & Heritage (ADACH), and Nashwa Al Ruwaini as executive director. In 2008 Lebanese filmmaker Imad DeirAtany joined the team. In its first few editions, it aimed to showcase international films. In 2010, for the 4th edition of the festival, ADACH developed the festival's brand and changed its name to Abu Dhabi Film Festival. Peter Scarlet, former artistic director of the San Francisco International Film Festival and Tribeca Film Festival, was appointed director of the festival, and its focus changed to showcasing Arab cinema as well as bringing quality international films to Arab audiences. In 2011, the Abu Dhabi Film Festival launched the SANAD development and post-production fund for cineastes from the Arab world. With the goal of encouraging independent and auteur-based cinema, eligible filmmakers had access to grants, screenwriting workshops, and personal meetings with industry mentors and experts. From 2012, the festival was part of the Abu Dhabi Media Zone Authority, specifically under Media Zone Events and powered by its partner company, twofour54. In August 2012 Scarlet left the role, shortly before the event was staged in October of that year, and his colleague Ali Al Jabri took over the position. ADFF was officially scrapped after eight editions in 2015.

Description

The event was held annually in October in the city of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The ADFF aimed to showcase the best films from the region alongside standout productions from prominent international filmmakers. Noteworthy names attending ADFF included director Michael Greenspan (best known for his feature film Wrecked, which debuted there in 2009), as well as actors such as Uma Thurman and Adrien Brody, who attended in 2010. In October 2009, The Guardian published an article about the origins and intent of the MEIFF. The article noted that although the host country then had only a small indigenous film-making industry, the film festival could serve a variety of constructive purposes.

Selected events

2010

Films included in the 2010 edition included:

Black Pearl Award

2011 winners

Source: The 2011 selection featured 31 films from 23 countries, as well as two newly launched awards for producers of short films.

2010 winners

2009 winners

In 2009, 16 Black Pearl awards were given in 3 major categories (narrative, documentary, and short films). Also given were also 7 Jury Special Mention awards, and one Audience Choice Award. Among all entries worldwide, the best film winners were as follows: The Black Pearl Award for Best Narrative Film – $100,000 The Black Pearl Award for Best Documentary Film – $100,000 The Black Pearl Award for Best Narrative Short – $25,000 The Black Pearl Award for Best Narrative Short – $25,000

2008 winners

The Black Pearl for Best Narrative Film – $200,000 Disgrace Director: Steve Jacobs. Producers: Anna Maria Monticelli, Emile Sherman, Steve Jacobs The Black Pearl for Best Documentary – $150,000 Stranded Director: Gonzalo Arijon. Producer: Marc Silvera The Black Pearl Special Jury Prize – $125,000 Youssou N'Dour: I Bring What I Love Director and Producer: Elisabeth Chai Vasarhelyi The Black Pearl for Best Actress – $75,000 Fawzia: A Special Blend Actress: Ilham Shaheen The Black Pearl for Best Actor – $75,000 Wild Blood Actor: Luca Zingaretti The Black Pearl for Best Artistic Contribution – $75,000 Laila's Birthday Screenwriter: Rashid Masharawi The Black Pearl Audience Choice Award Saving Luna Co-Directors: Suzanne Chisholm & Michael Parfit. Producer: Suzanne Chisholm The Black Pearl for Best Narrative – Short Film – $75.000 The View Co-Directors: Hazim Bitar & Rifqi Assaf. Producer: Amman Filmmakers Cooperative The Black Pearl for Best Documentary – Short Film – $75.000 Breadmakers Director: Yasmin Fedda. Producers: Jim Hickey & Robin Mitchell The Black Pearl for Best Animation – Shot Film – $75.000 Jacinta Director: Karla Casteneda. Producer: Luis Tellez The Black Pearl for Best Narrative – Student Films – $25.000 Illusion Director: Burhan Qurbani. Producer: Fabian Gasmia The Black Pearl for Best Emerging Filmmaker – Student Films – $25.000 Lullaby Director: Serena Abi Aad. Producer: IESAV

2007 Winners