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Minister Deenihan to address inaugural Dublin Arabic Film Festival
Thursday, 8th May—Jimmy Deenihan T.D., Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, will be in the Light House Cinema this evening (6.45pm) for the inaugural Dublin Arabic Film Festival (DAFF).
The DAFF, organised by six-time Oscar nominee Jim Sheridan and Dublin-based film-maker Zhara Moufid, will showcase Arab cinematic talent to an Irish audience. The organisers hope to enhance public understanding of Arab culture and provide alternative representations of the region and its people.
The festival proper will commence at 8pm with a screening of François Dupeyron’s Golden Globe-nominated Monsieur Ibrahim (2003), starring Omar Sharif, who will introduce the film on the night as guest of honour. Another highlight will be the showing of Best Foreign Language Oscar nominee Omar in the presence of the film’s director Hany Abu-Assad, on the closing night of the festival (Sunday 11th May).
Speaking in advance of the event, Minister Deenihan said:
“There already exists great affinity and friendship between Ireland and the Arab world, and we have significant links based on tourism, education and business. This festival will enhance our knowledge and understanding of the Arab people by showing us various aspects of Arabic life through the subtle eye of the cinema.”
The DAFF, which is presented by Dubai Duty Free, is the first event of its kind in Ireland. The festival will screen nine Arab movies, new and old, in the Light House Cinema and the Chester Beatty Library from 8th–11th May.
ENDS