Al Jabri to head Abu Dhabi festival
By Patrick Frater
Wed, 08 August 2012, 11:45 AM (HKT)
Ali AL JABRI (pictured) has been appointed festival director of Abu Dhabi Film Festival. He replaces American, Peter SCARLET.
Al Jabri has been with the festival for five years and was previously director of its Emirates Film Competition.
The move is one of a series of changes at the festival, which earlier saw its management transfer from the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage to new media zone and cultural hub twofour54. The festival has moved its offices to twofour54's Khalifa Park campus.
"Today is a very important milestone in the event's history. Ali has been instrumental in developing the Emirates Film Competition and we are sure he will bring the same level of passion and enthusiasm to his new role," said Noura Al Kaabi, CEO of twofour54.
"This shows the tremendous opportunities that are now opening up in the media industry for UAE nationals and I hope that I can encourage a new generation to want to be a part of such an exciting industry as we position Abu Dhabi as a creative hub for film production in the region," Al Jabri said in a statement.
Scarlet headed the festival since 2009, having previously been with the Tribeca Film Festival in New York and the San Francisco International Film Festival.
"The move to twofour54 is a positive for both organisations as they work to showcase regional and international cinema, support the development of emerging Arab cinema, Arabic media and entertainment content to establish Abu Dhabi as an international centre of excellence," twofour54 said in a statement.
The next edition of the ADIFF will be held 11-20 Oct 2012.