Paramount Hotel Dubai champions next-gen of filmmakers at Black Sheep Film Festival
As anticipation builds for We Create Drama, Paramount Hotel Dubai's upcoming film festival set to launch this March, the hotel has reaffirmed its dedication to fostering emerging filmmaking talent. In partnership with SAE University College, it supported the Black Sheep Film Festival, an annual event spotlighting the exceptional work of SAE's student filmmakers.
With 410 attendees and a host of industry leaders, The Black Sheep Film Festival served as a dynamic platform for young filmmakers to showcase their work, engage with professionals and gain valuable insights into the cinematic world.
A key highlight of the festival was an engaging panel discussion featuring three prominent Emirati filmmakers—Nayla Al Khaja, Maitha Alawadi and Nawaf Al Janhi—moderated by Razan Takash, Head of Film at SAE and Festival Director. Their discussion offered invaluable perspectives that resonated with both aspiring and established creatives.
The festival also welcomed industry heavyweights such as The Last Mercenary producer Jean-Charles Levy, Blink Studios Co-Owner Nathalie Habib and Goat Life star Rik Aby. Additionally, esteemed media representatives, including Valérie Fouques from the French Embassy and Tara from the US State Department (Abu Dhabi), were in attendance.
To further support rising talent, Advanced Media sponsored prizes for outstanding filmmakers, helping them refine their craft and pursue their cinematic ambitions.
Beyond the glamour, The Black Sheep Film Festival plays a crucial role in nurturing the next generation of storytellers. This aligns with Paramount Hotel Dubai's broader vision for We Create Drama, which aims to celebrate emerging talent while providing a launchpad for new and startup filmmakers to showcase their scripts, short films, and creative projects.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hi Dubai
18 hours ago
- Hi Dubai
Dubai Culture and Dubai Racing Club Partner to Celebrate Emirati Heritage at Dubai World Cup
Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dubai Racing Club (DRC) to promote Emirati heritage and strengthen cultural engagement at the Dubai World Cup. The partnership aims to infuse the globally celebrated sporting event with authentic cultural experiences that reflect the values and traditions of the UAE. The agreement, signed by Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture, and Ali Abdulrahman Al Ali, CEO and Board Member of Dubai Racing Club, sets the foundation for joint initiatives that spotlight both tangible and intangible aspects of Emirati culture. The two organisations will collaborate on cultural programming, share expertise, and co-develop experiences that showcase the richness of the UAE's local identity to international audiences. 'This MoU aligns with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and his ongoing commitment to preserving our national heritage while projecting it globally,' said Hala Badri. 'Through this partnership, we hope to create meaningful opportunities for local talent and strengthen the cultural and creative industries by providing a world-class platform to share their work.' Badri emphasized that the collaboration will play a vital role in supporting Dubai Culture's mission of safeguarding heritage for future generations. By incorporating creative content and traditional expressions into the Dubai World Cup experience, the initiative aims to enhance community pride and reinforce Dubai's global standing as a cultural and tourism hub. Ali Al Ali noted that the partnership reflects Dubai Racing Club's ambition to blend sport and culture in innovative ways. 'Working with Dubai Culture enhances the Dubai World Cup's identity as more than just a racing event,' he said. 'It becomes a celebration of our roots, traditions, and national values. As we look ahead to the 30th edition of the Dubai World Cup in 2026, this collaboration comes at the perfect moment to spotlight the UAE's enduring heritage on a global platform.' Since its inception in 1996, the Dubai World Cup has grown into one of the world's most prestigious horse racing events. This new cultural collaboration promises to elevate the spectator experience by integrating artistic and heritage elements that celebrate the spirit of the Emirates. News Source: Dubai Media Office
What's On
2 days ago
- What's On
Check out a Boho beach pop-up at Flat 12 Café this weekend
If you're making plans for the weekend, add a visit to Flat 12 Cafe in Port Rashid to check out a three-day beach-inspired pop-up. The pop-up is a collaboration between 360 iPopup and Flat 12. It takes place from Friday, July 25 to 27. It happens between 4pm to 11pm, so you don't have to worry about burning in the sun. The best news? It's free entry, so you can take the whole family. What to expect? At the pop-up, you can expect laid-back boho vibes, paired with shopping and lifestyle experiences. As Flat 12 Cafe is focused on building a community that brings people together, expect to meet and shop at 30 wonderful homegrown vendors offering unique fashion, handcrafted jewellery, Emirati perfumes, and more. You can also enjoy other interactive activities and creative workshops. Sessions include a floral styling workshop by Luv Flowers, a creative candle-making workshop by Light of Hope, and a perfume-making session. You can also visit the custom charm bar and walk away with a permanent piece of jewellery. While you're there, don't forget to visit the boho beach photo booth for a photo memory. There are also exclusive giveaways and mystery box games where you can win up to Dhs2,000 in shopping credit which you can use at the event. If you need some good coffee, head inside to Flat 12 Cafe, where you can enjoy a coffee in a lovely, industrially chic space, which combines a bistro, boutique, and gallery under one roof. Want some food? On the menu, you can find pizzas, burgers, truffle fries, burrata flatbread, and more. The icing on top of the cake, you will be surrounded by classic cars on display. Location: Port Rashid, Dubai Event date/time: July 25 to 27, 4pm to 11pm Contact: (0)4 228 7123 @flat.12, @360_ipopup Images: Instagram > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
Gulf Today
2 days ago
- Gulf Today
Here comes the sun: DIAC show revels in glow of summer colours
Dubai International Art Centre (DIAC), a cornerstone of the UAE's creative community, has unveiled its latest exhibition, Summer Colors. It is a showcase of artistic talent that celebrates the spirit of summer through vivid colours, enviable textures, and sincere expression (July 19-26). The exhibition opened to a full house of art lovers, collectors, and cultural dignitaries, and features a lineup of over 50 talented artists from diverse nationalities. Their artworks – inspired by the glowing warmth, profound energies and the special beauty of summer – create a kaleidoscope of canvases across a variety of mediums including paintings, mixed media, and abstract compositions. The opening ceremony was graced by Chief Guest Anamika Chatterjee, Associate Editor of Khaleej Times. She said that 'artists must always follow their passion, even when life gets busy with responsibilities. Art is what keeps the soul alive.' The event was also honoured by the presence of leading Emirati artist Faisal Abdul Qader, Guest of Honour, who applauded DIAC's continued commitment to providing a platform for both emerging and established artists. 'Dubai International Art Centre has played a crucial role in nurturing creative talent through exhibitions such as this,' he said. Noted cultural personality Ahmed Al Awadhi Rukni attended the event as Special Guest, along with other prominent personalities from the media and art worlds, including senior artist Anjini Prakash Laitu. Their presence added undoubted significance and recognition to the inaugural. Exhibition Director Ambika Vohra expressed her pride in the quality and diversity of the artworks on display. 'The works showcased here are not just beautiful; they're ideal for enhancing any home,' she said. 'The attention to detail and emotional depth in each piece is remarkable.' A ballerina prepares for her dance. The Summer Colors Exhibition has already attracted a huge footfall of visitors, ranging from passionate art buyers to curious newcomers, making it one of the season's most talked-about cultural events. With a rich display of imagination and talent, it provides a unique opportunity for art enthusiasts to understand new perspectives and take home a piece of summer. The exhibition is open to the public and art lovers are encouraged to visit and explore the colourful offerings, many of which are available for purchase. Participating artists include Akshita Lad, Akanksha Kshatriya (ArtbyAK), Afshan Khan, Alia Amin, Amancia Sandra Menezes, Amna Ameen, Anxhela El Ahmadieh, Anita Sahai, Aquila Abdel Rahim, Asma Syed, Bianca Pascual, Celina Sarieddine, Debra S Mascarenhas, Deepa Rajesh, Diyali Bhalla, Dr. Anum Ali, Dr. Kamal Al Yammahi, Elham Mohammadnia, Erum Durrani, Gursheen Kaur, Jagruty Sanjay, Jaimee Felysse Reyes, Jyoti Devdhar, Lita Mathews, Mahboobeh Goshtaseb Shahnavaz, Mahi Wasfi, Mahnaz Rafiq Javid, Maitha Bin Shahdoor, Maryam Khodaverdian, Maryam Taghikhani, Nanditha Unnikrishnan, Natalia Venerova, Nikita Neogy, Ola Khalil, Pari Sagar, Prachi Khurana, Prasanth Chandran, Radhika Arya, Renuka Sanjeev, Roya Vahidi, Sandeep Soni, Sarika Handa, Shebaniah Asaph P. Pineda, Sibel Yavuz, Solmaz Gholami, Sumaya Azam and Trupti Rele. An AI reference notes that 'many artists across various eras have found inspiration in the season of summer, capturing its essence through vibrant colours, landscapes, and scenes of leisure. Notable examples include Claude Monet, who painted 'Impression, Sunrise' and 'End of Summer Morning', capturing the fleeting beauty of light and atmosphere and their effects, characteristic of summer, and Vincent van Gogh, whose 'Harvest at La Crau' showcases the golden hues of summer fields. His 'Haystacks, Summer', exemplifies his use of colour and texture to depict the feeling of summer. A group photo from the event. Artists like David Hockney with his 'Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures)' capture the modern experience of summer leisure and Berthe Morisot with 'Summer's Day', has also depicted the joys of summer recreation and relaxation. Morisot's 'Summer's Day' depicts women in a rowboat, showcasing leisure activities associated with the season. Pierre-Auguste Renoir's 'The Luncheon of the Boating Party' captures a lively scene of people enjoying a summer day. Giuseppe Arcimboldo's allegorical portraits, including 'Summer', depict the season through symbolic arrangements of fruits and vegetables. Winslow Homer often painted scenes of coastal life, capturing the energy and vibrancy of summer. Paul Gauguin's Tahitian landscapes like Tahitian Landscape, evoke the warmth and exoticism often associated with summer and Artsper Magazine notes that Edward Hopper's paintings such as 'Second Story Sunlight', capture a sense of solitude and light associated with summer afternoons. Marc Chagall's painting 'Summer Dream' is an example of his whimsical and dreamlike style often incorporating vibrant colours, AI adds. Several Eastern artists too have found inspiration in the summer season, translating its vibrancy and essence into their work, the AI overview continues. These artists draw from nature, cultural traditions and personal experiences, to capture the spirit of summer in their creations. Eastern inspirations range from detailed jewellery design to large-scale paintings and photography. The works reflect the beauty, energy, and cultural richness associated with the summer months. Cindy Chao, for example, is a jewellery artist whose 'Aquatic' series is inspired by snorkeling; she uses vibrant gemstones to recreate marine life with a focus on underwater hues and light. Dina Razin, a digital artist with Middle Eastern heritage, incorporates her culture into vibrant scenes featuring women in embellished outfits and floral elements, often with a summer beach setting, while American artist Summer Wheat, creates tactile paintings that capture the essence of summer.
