The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) has ear-marked approximately Dh1.2-million ($325,000) in prize money as part of the 'Muhr Awards for Excellence in Arab Cinema' for winning entries in the festival's new Arab Film Competition.

The festival is scheduled to run from December 10 to 17, 2006. The term 'Muhr', means young horse in Arabic, is in line with Dubai International Film Festival's logo, a spokesman said at a Press conference. Symbolising the Arabian heritage, 'Muhr' also embodies nobility and spirit, and will highlight DIFF as a film festival that is representative of the region.

The 'Muhr Awards for Excellence in Arab Cinema' will honour the work of Arab filmmakers in the feature, documentary and short film categories. The new competition will recognise Arab and UAE filmmakers as part of the festival's overall strategy to develop and support the Arab film industry. The top prize in the Arab Film Competition for best feature will be close to Dh 185,000 (US$ 50,000).

The competition will additionally award UAE filmmakers for the best script in the shorts category, and give recognition to an emerging UAE filmmaker as the 'most promising filmmaker' for 2006. "DIFF aims to share the creative excellence of Arab filmmakers with its audiences from around the world. The Arab Film Competition will celebrate films that provide an insight into the rich culture and traditions of the Arab world. The Muhr Awards will mark a new milestone in the realm of Arab cinema, and pave the way for a new generation of filmmaking talent in the UAE," said deputy director general, TECOM, Abdulhamid Juma.

"While focusing on DIFF's tradition to support the Arab filmmaking community, we will continue to bring in works of dynamic international filmmakers that the festival's audience would otherwise not have the opportunity to view," said CEO of DIFF Neil Stephenson.

The first three prize-winning UAE national scriptwriters will be honoured with cash prizes of Dh 50,000 ($13,500), Dh 40,000 ($ 11,000), and Dh 30,000 ($8,200) respectively. Prize money of Dh 30,000 ($ 8,200) has been earmarked for the winner of the 'Most Promising UAE Filmmaker' award, said artistic director - Arab Programming and Head of DIFF Arab Film Competition Masoud Amralla Al Ali.

There will also be special awards for UAE nationals. "This competition will assist in the growth and development of the Arab film industry, and provide an environment for Arab filmmakers to showcase their work to key members of the international industry," added Masoud.

The deadline for submissions to the Arab Film Competition is September 25, 2006. The deadline for submissions from UAE nationals for the scriptwriting prizes is November 15, 2006.

Criteria, entry forms, and prize structure for the Muhr Awards are available on www.dubaifilmfest.com, the official website of the Dubai International Film Festival.