The organisers of the second edition of the Middle East International Film Festival (MEIFF) announced the full line up for the festival’s initiative in hosting two days of panel sessions in partnership with CINEMA VERITE to raise awareness about social and humanitarian issues. The event, to take place in Abu Dhabi on the 14th and 15th of October, will run in parallel with the many activities that MEIFF 2008 is staging. “CINEMA VERITE is an annual public platform that aims to bring together prominent film directors, actors, politicians and opinion leaders to address social issues,” explained MEIFF’s Vice Chairman and ADACH Director General Mohamed Khalaf Al Mazruoei. “This comes under the theme of our event which makes a special focus on human concerns such as women’s issues.” “Abu Dhabi will host the third round of the panels which will start in Geneva from 8-10 of October, followed by the Paris panels to be held on 11 and 12 of October, and finally the Abu Dhabi panels. Each will comprise of a panel discussion, followed by a screening and then a debate that relates to the main topic,” added MEIFF Director Nashwa Al Ruwaini Starting off the panels will be Spotlight on Lebanon, hosted by actress Catherine Deneuve and focusing on the humanitarian concerns in Lebanon. Deneuve will speak of her experience in Lebanon while filming her latest film, Je Veux Voir, directed by Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige. The Spotlight on Lebanon debate will focus on topics such as the current status of ecological disaster due to the 2006 Israeli attacks and the refugees today in Lebanon, specifically Palestinian refugees. The second day’s events will address the theme, Spotlight on Women and will start off with a screening of the Kum Kum Bhavnani film Shape of Water narrated by Susan Sarandon and revolving around five encounters with women in Brazil, India, Jerusalem and Senegal. The film will be followed by an all-star Reel Female Power debate focusing on the many topical issues raised from an Arab/Islamic vs. western perspective covering areas such as the image of women in cinema, and the challenges facing women working in this industry. The debate will also raise the subject of who are the main female players in the industry and what contributions they have made, as well as addressing what still needs to be done. Nashwa Al Ruwaini will host the debate and among the key participants will be Carole Bouquet, Laila Ulwi and Yusra and Susan Sarandon. The highlight of the MEIFF/CINEMA VERITE partnership will be the Tribute night starting off with a star-studded red carpet and accumulating in a night of honouring one of the most respected actresses of all time, Jane Fonda. “One of the most exciting activities during MEIFF will be a ceremony in which Jane Fonda will receive the MEIFF Black Pearl Award for her outstanding contribution to social issues through the medium of film. The event will be dedicated to intercultural understanding with short speeches from high profile participants along with screenings of film excerpts,” said Nashwa. Participating in the special tribute will be Jane Fonda, Susan Sarandon, French actress and social activist Carole Bouquet and French-Algerian director and Deputy Mayor of Paris responsible for Human Rights. “It will be an exhilarating experience to bring such a great initiative to the region, and will help further position Abu Dhabi as a new world-class filmmaking and cinema hub,” concluded Nashwa.

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