DUBAI // The first in a series of panel discussions that will take place daily throughout the Dubai International Film Festival (Diff) was held yesterday afternoon.
The first discussion, dubbed Y Tu Mexico Tambien, focused on Mexican cinema and saw delegates from the Latino film industry gather at Madinat Jumeirah to present the progression of Mexican cinema from the Golden Age of the 1950s and 60s up until today.
Jane Williams, the head of Diff's Industry Office, said they had chosen Mexican cinema as a focal point because it provided a good example of how an industry can build itself to become self-sufficient.
Opening the discussion was Cristina Prado, director of cultural promotion of the Mexican Institute of Cinematography, who detailed the increase of audiences for Mexican films.
Following her was Ximena Hiriart, the producer of A Tiro De Piedra (A Stone's Throw Away) - the story of a 21-year-old shepherd who finds a key chain in Mexico and decides to return it to its owner. It is one of five Mexican films showing at the festival.
Hiriart said that 2010 had been the best year yet for Mexican independent documentary films.
"In 2004, they were making 17 films a year and now it is over 70," she said. She added that hard work is still required to tap into an audience for the documentaries.
Ms Prado said that, while Mexican cinema had an important presence in many international film festivals, they were not having the same success with sales.
"It is important for us, therefore, to be in Dubai to try to find Middle Eastern distributors," she said.
Felipe Cazals Siena, one of Mexico's most respected directors, said they only had themselves to blame.
Mentioning the 112 million inhabitants of Mexico and the 25 million speakers of Spanish in the US, he said filmmakers with such a large target audience should try harder.
"It is the fault of a continuous attitude of not seeing cinema as part of our culture," he said. "Cinema is still considered outside of normal culture."
Leading the line-up for the Central American country's film screenings at the festival is the 1947 classic Enamorada, directed by Emilio Fernandez.
It will be screened tomorrow night at an outdoor venue in Jumeirah Beach Residence and will be followed by a Mexican Mariachi band.
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NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
Five expert hiking tips
Always check the weather forecast before setting off
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Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
Take your litter home with you
Profile
Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari
Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.
Number of employees: Over 50
Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised
Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital
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Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
MATCH INFO
Northern Warriors 92-1 (10 ovs)
Russell 37 no, Billings 35 no
Team Abu Dhabi 93-4 (8.3 ovs)
Wright 48, Moeen 30, Green 2-22
Team Abu Dhabi win by six wickets
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Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
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Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
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T20 World Cup Qualifier fixtures
Tuesday, October 29
Qualifier one, 2.10pm – Netherlands v UAE
Qualifier two, 7.30pm – Namibia v Oman
Wednesday, October 30
Qualifier three, 2.10pm – Scotland v loser of qualifier one
Qualifier four, 7.30pm – Hong Kong v loser of qualifier two
Thursday, October 31
Fifth-place playoff, 2.10pm – winner of qualifier three v winner of qualifier four
Friday, November 1
Semi-final one, 2.10pm – Ireland v winner of qualifier one
Semi-final two, 7.30pm – PNG v winner of qualifier two
Saturday, November 2
Third-place playoff, 2.10pm
Final, 7.30pm
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
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A foster couple or family must:
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- not be younger than 25 years old
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- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Company profile
Name: Tharb
Started: December 2016
Founder: Eisa Alsubousi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: Luxury leather goods
Initial investment: Dh150,000 from personal savings
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