Dubai International Film Festival is region’s only cultural event to win International Business Awards

Press release

Published October 13th, 2011 - 09:35 GMT

DIFF Chairman, Abdulhamid Juma with HE Sheikha Lubna Al Qassimi

The Dubai International Film Festival, organised under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President & Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, received two laurels at the eighth annual International Business Awards held at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi. DIFF is the only cultural event from the region, and one of the few internationally, to win recognition at the premier global awards.

The leading and largest film festival in the Middle East, near Asia and Africa was named ‘Distinguished Honouree’ in the IBA’s Best Consumer Event segment under the Live Event Awards category, a tribute to its outstanding programming, operations and facilities. DIFF clinched the honour in a category that featured intense competition from businesses and cultural organisations from across the world. Other finalists included organisations from Spain, South Korea and Turkey.

The Festival also featured in IBA’s Communications category as winner of the ‘Communications or PR Campaign of the Year – Multicultural,’ for its 2010 edition.

DIFF Chairman Abdulhamid Juma, Managing Director Shivani Pandya and Mahsa Motamedi, Executive Director Marketing and Events, received the honours in Abu Dhabi.

The annual Dubai International Film Festival is held in association with Dubai Studio City. Dubai Duty Free, Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai Pearl, Emirates Airline and Madinat Jumeirah, the home of the Dubai International Film Festival, are the principal sponsors of DIFF. The Festival is supported by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority.

Background Information

Dubai International Film Festival

DIFF 365 Brought Film Fans a Cinematic Journey All Year Round

With a dedicated screening destination at VOX Cinemas, Mall of the Emirates in Dubai, the initiative brought the very best of independent cinema to film fans 365 days a year.

DIFF 365 championed films that entertained, challenged and expanded film fans perspectives. Independent films that might not traditionally be released at cinemas across the UAE and celebrated talent outside of the big studio releases were presented throughout the initiative’s run in 2017 and 2018.