Abu Dhabi Film Festival: 2014 line-up unveiled

Nine films – eight of which are from the Arab world – will make their world premiere at this year’s Abu Dhabi Film Festival (ADFF).

Taking place between October 23 and November 1 at Emirates Palace and Vox Cinemas Marina Mall, the festival will showcase 197 films from 61 countries, with a number of big names scheduled to fly in to support the event.

And there are plenty of productions from the region to support. Abu Dhabi-based entertainment company Image Nation will screen two world premieres. These are Emirati director Ali F. Mostafa’s highly anticipated, second feature film, From A to B and As One, an insightful documentary about Autism in the UAE.

It was announced last week that From A to B, produced by Paul Baboudjian and Mohamed Hefzy (who also wrote the script), would open the 8th edition of ADFF. Shot on location in the UAE and Jordan, the pan-Arab film follows three childhood friends on a life changing road trip from Abu Dhabi to Beirut.

As One, meanwhile, is a documentary that follows the journey of ten children as they take part in a musical program designed for those with autism.

Other notable Image Nation films include the critically acclaimed 99 Homes – directed by Ramin Bahrani – which will have its regional premiere. Starring Andrew Garfield and Michael Shannon, the film follows a father struggling to get back the home his family was evicted from.

A second Hyde Park / Image Nation Entertainment production will also have its regional premiere at the festival. Midnight Sun is a live-action family film following a young boy who attempts to reunite an abandoned polar bear cub with its mother.

As well as the film premieres; Image Nation will stage the award ceremony for the third annual Arab Film Studio during ADFF for the first time. The six finalists of the amateur film competition will be vying for the Best Film award and an AED 50,000 prize fund.

As for the finale, hotly-anticipated Disney animation release Big Hero 6 will close the event on November 1, just a week after its unveiling in Tokyo.

For ADFF's full line-up and ticket information, visit abudhabifilmfestival.ae.