On the 4 November 2011, the Abu Dhabi Corniche will host the inaugural TROPFEST Arabia, part of the world’s largest short film festival, and an exciting addition to this year’s Yasalam programme.

For one night only, TROPFEST Arabia is bringing all of the glamour of the movie industry to the community in Abu Dhabi. Some of the most celebrated actors, directors and filmmakers from across the Arab world will be on the judging panel hoping to discover the future stars of Arab filmmaking, including Egyptian superstar Ahmed Helmy, leading UAE filmmaker Nayla Al Khaja, Lebanese film maker and actress Nadine Labaki, Saudi filmmaker and actress Ahd and the director Mamdouh Salem; co-founder and director of Lebanese web series Shankaboot, Amin Dora; Egyptian producer and scriptwriter, Mohammed Hefzy TROPFEST founder, John Polson and TROPFEST Australia 2011 winner, Damon Gameau.

The finalists were independently selected by TROPFEST founder John Polson and TROPFEST Arabia co-director Ahmed Helmy based on their originality, quality and the creativity displayed in each of the films. One of the finalists will be selected as the winner of the inaugural TROPFEST Arabia by the celebrity jury, who will watch the films for the first time live with the audience in Abu Dhabi.

Finalists: 

- Abbas Al Badri, Iraq – “Transition”
- Ahmed Ghazal, Egypt – “They Say”
- Fouzia Hassine, Morocco – “Extra Time”
- Jassem Al Jabbouri, Iraq – “Flock Of Stars
- Karim Mohamed Mahmoud, Egypt - “No Signal”
- Lubna Saeed Al Amoodi, UAE – “The Smile”
- Mina Ghttas, Egypt – “Search”
- Mohamed Al Harethu, Oman – “A Star”
- Mony Mahmoud, Egypt – “Valentine’s Day”
- Mohammed Sabry, Egypt – “luck and what’s beyond”
- Nadim Laham, Lebanon – “At First Fright”
- Sherif Mokbel, Egypt -“At first sight” 

2011 marks the first year that TROPFEST has been held in the Arab world. TROPFEST Arabia 2011 covers the Middle East and North Africa region and is open to Nationals of Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestinian territories (the West Bank and Gaza Strip), Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. The event is supported by twofour54 Abu Dhabi whose aim is to establish a sustainable Arabic media and entertainment content creation industry.

TROPFEST Arabia’s aim is to contribute to the development of the Arab film industry by providing an opportunity for the region’s filmmakers to bring their short films to the community. As well as a public screening in Abu Dhabi in 2011, shortlisted films will be available for viewing online providing an excellent opportunity to showcase the talent that exists in the region.

TROPFEST Arabia is an expansion of TROPFEST, which is Australia’s most prestigious short film festival, one of its most iconic cultural events and also the largest short film festival in the world. 

DOORS OPEN AT 6PM