Abu Dhabi, October 10: As many as 40 film and television professionals, producers, writers and editors have gathered in Abu Dhabi to discuss the finance and marketing aspects of the movie business at the Circle Conference.
On the first day of the Circle, the Abu Dhabi Film Commission (ADFC) was officially launched on Friday night.
As in the previous two years, the Circle is organised in conjunction with the ongoing Middle East International Film Festival here.
“The Circle provides an opportunity to experts from various spectrums of the world of cinema and investment to meet in one forum in Abu Dhabi with a view to creating new opportunities for those who are serious about progress in the film industry, to form a space of cooperation and coordination, exchange of experiences, ideas and views,” said Mohammed Khalaf Al Mazrouei, director-general of Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH).
“The topics addressed at this year’s Circle Conference could not be more timely,” added ADFC Director David Shepheard.
Indeed, with new markets emerging, Abu Dhabi included, film industry is in for a breath of fresh air. The financial crises, on the other hand, also means less numbers, but more quality, as the selection process has got tougher.
Although it has been operational for several months now, the ADFC took advantage of the presence of big international names from the film industry to showcase its services and programmes. Among them is the Shasha Grant, the commission’s annual international screen-writing prize that will be given away during the closing ceremony on Sunday.
ADFC also announced its ongoing work for providing filming locations across the emirate of Abu Dhabi and setting up a picture library concerning those locations.
–Agencies