Masoud Amralla Al Ali, Artistic Director of the Dubai International Film Festival, has been selected as a jury member in the upcoming Durban International Film Festival.

The Durban International Film Festival will be held from 23 July - 3 August at Durban in South Africa. Under the banner Love Film, Hate Xenophobia, the festival will showcase over 200 films from nearly 95 countries. Opening the festival is the African Premiere of Ralph Ziman’s Jerusalema, a gritty gangster thriller set on the harsh streets of Johannesburg. The festival will close with Mike Leigh’s uplifting new comedy, Happy-Go-Lucky.

Mr Al Ali is the first UAE national to be invited to sit on the jury of some of the most prestigious international film festivals. He has participated as a jury member in over 20 festivals, the most recent being the Oran International Film Festival which took place from 26 June - 3 July in Oran, Algeria.  His presence at the Durban event will offer him a unique opportunity to interact with other industry professionals and acquire the latest trends and practices in the international film circuit.

DIFF Chairman Abdulhamid Juma stated: “We are all proud that the Artistic Director of DFF - and a UAE national - has been selected as jury member at prominent international film festivals.

“This demonstrates our commitment to participate and engage with other major international film festivals.”

DIFF is one of the most anticipated annual cultural events in Dubai bringing the best in International and Arab cinema to film lovers in the region. The fifth edition of DIFF to be held December 11 to 18, 2008, promises to continue premiering films of excellence and also host innovative events celebrating the magic of cinema.