The first Gulf Film Festival in Dubai will showcase seven short films and one feature film from Bahrain.

The event, from April 13 to 18, will take place at the Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre in the Mall of the Emirates.

The chosen movies tackle diverse themes such as love, struggle, adultery and women's emancipation within the rapidly changing socio-economic landscape of Bahrain and the GCC region, said an event spokesman.

'Four Girls' by acclaimed director Hussain Abbas Al Hulaibi has been selected as one of the entries in the feature films competition.

Te spokesman said the movie addresses the subject of women's emancipation, challenging prejudices and customs in a male-dominated society.

'Several of the short films deal with struggle and change,' said the spokesman.

He said 'The Coma' by Jamal Ghailan and first time director Sadeq Mohammad Jaafar Alsmak's 'Expatiated' depict the unexpected turns in life and the uncertainty and intrigue they bring; while, Hussain Al Riffaei's 'A Dinner' explores the taboo subject of adultery and its consequences in a Muslim state, presented as a dialogue between a girl and her family.

He said Mohammed Rashid BuAli's 'Absence' deals with the poignant subject of loneliness in a fast moving society.

In a different vein, 'Bluetooth' by Nidhal Bader and debuting Abdul Ameer Howaidah's 'Remote Control' highlight various usages of technology in present day society.

And, 'Remains of a Wound' by Mohammed Ebrahim Mohammed, which depicts fight against suffering is the lone selection of short films for students competition.-TradeArabia News Service