Bonyan Films, a progressive production company out of Dubai, UAE, makes its North American debut and a positive splash at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) this week.  Bonyan is sponsoring exclusive events with celebrity-laden guest lists which include Keira Knightly, Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins and Gerard Butler, and have stylish scenesters lining up in their stilettos pleading with doormen for access. 

"We're delighted to be in Toronto, a vibrant and multicultural city, for a festival that celebrates films from around the world," says Bonyan Films CEO and Producer Tandees Tanavoli.  "We want to make a presence here to generate interests for the film industry in the Middle East," she adds.

Bonyan has certainly succeeded in making its presence felt, sponsoring the WildAid Reserve lounge at the Hazelton Hotel where Kate Hudson and her stylist David Babaii introduced their new line of cruelty-free, environmentally friendly hair care products.  Also, hosting parties at another Toronto hotspot -Park Hyatt Hotel rooftop- for some of the Festival's most anticipated films such as The Wrestler (Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood), The Brothers Bloom (Rachel Weisz, Adrien Brody, Mark Ruffalo).  As well as, Yari Film Group's What Doesn't Kill You (Mark Ruffalo, Amanda Peet, Ethan Hawke, Donnie Wahlberg) and Nothing But the Truth (Kate Beckinsdale, Matt Dillon, Angela Bassett).

Dubai is proving to become a hub for the entertainment industry in the Middle East and is quickly emerging as a major player on the world stage.  Bonyan, together with sister company Ypsilon Agency, a talent agency representing Middle Eastern actors, producers, directors, and technicians, is already establishing itself as a serious competitor in the young industry.  Both companies have the intention to partner with North American production companies, as well as finance and facilitate all aspects of film production in the Middle East for international film projects.

"This is a very exciting time for Dubai and it represents an opportunity for North American production companies to monopolize on the growing film industry in the Middle East," says Tanavoli.