Organisers of The Circle, a leading film initiative devoted to the encouragement of filmmaking talent in the Middle East, under the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH), announced today the details of its programme and the main participants at “The Circle Conference 2008” and the “Interactive Media Exhibition” to be held consecutively from 6th – 11th October 2008.

At his address during the press conference held at ADACH, Director General H.E. Mohammad Khalaf Al Mazarouie said that the cultural scene in Abu Dhabi is moving steadily towards achieving its goals in positioning Abu Dhabi and the UAE at as an international destination for arts and culture. “Cinema is an important part of the overall cultural initiatives that ADACH is supporting, and Abu Dhabi has already taken many serious steps towards encouraging the filmmaking industry through investing and supporting those who are taking the necessary steps towards fulfilling this ambitious plan,” he said. “We believe that The Circle Conference 2008 and the associated Interactive Media Exhibition to be held in Abu Dhabi contribute to this plan and will help position Abu Dhabi as a major new filmmaking hub.”

Adrienne Briggs, Director of The Circle, said that the event enjoyed the full support of ADACH in addition to all the participants including speakers and industry experts. “I’m delighted to announce that our keynote speaker will be the chairman of 20th Century Fox, Jim Gianopoulos. He will be looking at the global film industry and its relevance to Middle Eastern filmmakers and financiers,” she announced.

Briggs has also announced the programme for The Circle Conference which is being held from the 6th through to the 8th of October at the Shangri La Hotel in Abu Dhabi. It will include panel sessions tackling various issues covering a number of different areas including Financing Arab Films, the State of Arab Filmmaking, the Global Distribution of Arab Films, Arabic Co-productions, and concepts such as the User as the 4th Dimension and Game Engines Applied.

There will also be roundtable discussions which will enrich the debates and contribute heavily to identifying obstacles against improving the filmmaking scene in the Arab world, in addition to exploring the factors that will contribute to enhancing the state of filmmaking and position it as a world class production centre.

“There will be a strong element of evening events, too,” Briggs explained. “On the first night we’ll have the Cloeween Connection, a reception for 10 emerging Arab Filmmakers. Welfare support is also important, we’ll have a charity dinner  on the second night attended by the VIPs and conference guests with proceeds going to Iraqi orphans and women in need. The third night will witness the announcement of the winner of the Shasha Grant Award, which is worth 100,000 Dirhams,” she added.

The organisers have also taken on the responsibility of introducing the spectacular nature of Abu Dhabi and the magnificent scenery it enjoys. “A special VIP Retreat is being organised for the key participants at the conference which will include a tour around Abu Dhabi followed by a dinner cruise. The next day will witness helicopter trips that will fly over the islands along the coast, a bus tour at Sir Bani Yas Island, followed by dune activities at Liwa Sand Dunes. An oral history of Abu Dhabi will also be presented to the participants to introduce them to the history of the city,” she explained.

An Interactive Media Exhibition is to be held on 9th-11th of October 2008 at the Marina Mall. It will feature exhibits, games and technical demonstrations, all designed to showcase new media technology to industry players and the general public as a means of communication, telling stories and exhibiting art. “Activities are open to the general public, who will be given hands-on experience of the demonstrations,” she said.

 “And last but certainly not least, The Circle is also treating everyone to a DJ Night, which is a celebration held on Abu Dhabi’s Corniche combining filmmaking, music and poetry which is produced by the members of the Adasa programme,” Adrienne Briggs concluded.