Dubai Culture puts spotlight on autism at ‘Documentary Voices’ film initiative
1. First and only documentary film initiative in the UAE focused on social concerns
2. To be held from November 12 to 15 at Al Bastakiya
3. Workshops on production of documentaries; participants stand to win scholarship for 12-week documentary filmmaking programme from New York Film Academy Abu Dhabi
4. Special documentary on autism currently being shot with international crew at the Dubai Autism Centre
5. Exhibition and auction of paintings by autistic artist Christophe Pillault
The Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirate’s dedicated Authority for culture, art and heritage, is highlighting awareness on autism and rallying community support for the Dubai Autism Centre with this year’s edition of ‘Documentary Voices: Social Awareness 2009.’ The first and only documentary film initiative of its kind in the UAE focusing on social concerns, Documentary Voices marks the support of the Authority to further strengthen Dubai’s efforts in promoting cultural initiatives including television and films.
While the primary thrust of the event is on raising awareness of social issues, Documentary Voices, now in its second year, also enables film students and other participants to gain a stronger appreciation of documentary making through workshops led by professionals. The participants will also have the chance to win educational scholarships from the Abu Dhabi-based New York Film Academy.
Caspian Events, a Sharjah-based production house, is putting together the event, which will be held from November 12 to 15, 2009, at Al Bastakiya, a vibrant cultural hub in Dubai. Several globally-acclaimed documentaries on social issues will be screened at the event in addition to featuring discussions with film-makers on various aspects of documentary making. These workshops will cover script-writing, cinematography, sound design, editing, financing, distribution and creative development.
This year Documentary Voices is also making history with the filming of a special documentary on autism in a first of its kind initiative in the UAE. With the support of the New York Film Academy, international crew members from the UAE, US, Iran, South Korea, South Africa, Russia, Holland and Iraq are shooting the documentary at the Dubai Autism Centre. The documentary is titled, ‘Make Me Perfect,’ and is written by Shadmehr Rastin, an award-winning script-writer.
Documentary Voices will also feature an exhibition of paintings by autistic artist Christophe Pillault; and a lecture by Pillault’s mother and member of European Autism Centre, Dr Jacqueline Mansourian, on her experiences as a parent. The event will conclude with a public screening of ‘Make Me Perfect’ and an auction of the paintings by Pillault to raise funds for the Dubai Autism Centre.
Saeed Al Nabouda, Chief Projects Officer at the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, said: “Cultural initiatives are effective tools to engage the public in the various concerns of the community. Documentary Voices: Social Awareness 2009 focuses on autism as its key theme this year, and uses the medium of documentary and art to convey the needs and aspirations of individuals with autism. According to healthcare reports, one in every 91 children in the region is affected by autism spectrum disorder making it imperative that autism awareness is further strengthened. This festival complements the Authority’s mandate to support such initiatives of social and cultural significance.â€
He added: “By hosting Documentary Voices at one of the oldest cultural districts in Dubai – Al Bastakiya in Khor Dubai – we are further strengthening the process of cultural integration. Our support to this initiative highlights our commitment to partner in events that showcase the diverse social and cultural fabric of the UAE community. The event serves as an educational tool for film enthusiasts in appreciating the art of creating documentaries and strengthening their knowledge-base about various production aspects. This is an added dimension to the event, which will set a new benchmark for documentary making in the UAE.â€
Mahshid Zamani, Managing Director of the event and CEO of Caspian Events, said that ‘Make Me Perfect,’ will feature detailed information on autistic children, their lives, and the challenge they and their parents face. “We believe that the initiative will encourage the media and film makers to take a more active interest on social concerns such as autism and bring the special needs sector to the forefront.â€
She added: “This is not an event but a message being passed on to all the people to understand and feel that there are social concerns to be highlighted through the medium of film and television to generate awareness globally. The collective aspects of the programme have been designed to strengthen awareness about autism. We thank the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority for their continuous support in making this event a reality and giving it a truly global dimension. We also thank our sponsors including Copthorne Hotel, the official hotel, and other partners for their support.â€
Mohammed Al Emadi, Managing Director, Dubai Autism Centre, said: “Film makers can create both awareness and empathy in the community. This documentary is a window of opportunity to highlight autism and the work carried out by the Centre. Documentary Voices is a wake up call to all the media and film makers to take responsibility in addressing serious social concerns, and the role special needs sector plays in alleviating suffering and improving lives.â€
Dubai has been leading the way in taking concerted initiatives to support children with autism. This is in line with the vision of the Emirate’s leadership to give each individual in the society the attention they need and deserve. Documentary Voices, through the film production on the Dubai Autism Centre, is also putting the spotlight on the committed action of Dubai to addressing all cross-sections of the society.
About Dubai Culture & Arts Authority:
The Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) was launched on March 8, 2008 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President & Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. Dubai Culture plays a critical part in achieving the vision of the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 of establishing the city as vibrant, global Arabian metropolis that shapes culture and arts in the region and the world. The organisation has announced several initiatives that strengthen the historic and modern cultural fabric of Dubai. These include:
Muhammad the Messenger Museum: The first project of its kind in the world to focus on and highlight the life and message of Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings Be Upon Him).
Gulf Film Festival: Dubai Culture recognises that a healthy film industry is necessary to take stories about Dubai’s culture, traditions, history and contemporary lifestyle to the world.
Bastakiya Art Fair: An annual art and culture event takes place in the houses of Al Bastakiya, one of the historic areas of Dubai.
Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre: An annual festival that celebrates and fosters the art of theatre in the UAE.
Dubai Next: To encourage and sponsor initiatives that contribute actively to the development of the cultural events and activities in Dubai. Recently, Dubai Culture showcased Dubai’s aspirations in culture to an international audience at one of the world’s most prestigious platforms, the Art Basel 39 art fair.
Khor Dubai: A living museum that celebrates the multicultural diversity of Dubai.
The Holy Lands: A collaboration with the unique and creatively rich Reiss Engelhorn Museen of Mannheim to bring an exclusive collection of never before exhibited rare photographs to the region and more specifically Dubai.
About the Dubai Autism Center:
The Dubai Autism Centre is a non-proï¬t organization initiated after the issuance of a decree from His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum in 2001 as a resource/ counseling center and was launched as a school in 2003. The Dubai Autism Center see the documentary as a window of opportunity to highlight the work of special needs sector; their struggle and the effect of such services on the children, their families and the society in general. Film makers can create both awareness and empathy in the community.
For more information, please contact:
Nivine William / Sara Hamam
ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller
+9714 334 4550
n.william@asdaa.com, s.hamam@asdaa.com
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