The second edition of the Middle East International Film Festival (Meiff), organised by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (Adach) announced  the selection of films to be shown in the “Festival of Festivals” and the “Environmental” programmes.

Over half of the 24 narrative films and documentaries to be screened in “Festival of Festivals” have won or were nominated for awards in the past year at film festivals in France, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Mexico and the USA.

The film fest will be held from October 10 to 19.

“This initiative is important in that it brings to the local community internationally renowned films,” said Meiff vice chairman Mohamed Khalaf Al Mazrouei.

“With so many wonderful films playing at festivals around the world, Meiff 2008 is endeavouring to present a unique combination of the year’s top movies: a taste of the best,” said Nashwa Al Ruwaini, director of Meiff.

Highlighting the “Environmental Films” programme at the event, Nashwa said, “The inclusion of this section has been launched in conjunction with the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi. It is inspired by Abu Dhabi’s dedication to preserving the environment and its wildlife as it has been working on a number of initiatives over the past few years among which is Masdar and the Ecological Footprint of the UAE.”

This programme will be in conjunction with Wildscreen from the UK, a charity dedicated to promoting endangered species through film and still images.  Wildscreen will also be screening one of Meiff’s films ‘Saving Luna’ at its own festival this year.

“We believe that these two programs will add to the rich cultural profile of Abu Dhabi and we are confident that, along with the other many activities being held during the event, we will manage to captivate many more visitors and tourists alike,” Al Ruwaini concluded.-TradeArabia News Service