Dubai Culture and Arts Authority has launched the open call for the Al Marmoom Short-Film Competition, as part of the fourth Al Marmoom: Film in the Desert festival. The competition aims to enrich the local film scene and provide an innovative platform to support filmmakers, enabling them to share their experiences and knowledge and inspire new talent to join this field.

Participants can apply from 14 August to 30 September 2024, after which a specialised committee comprising a group of experts, directors, and filmmakers will screen the applications and evaluate the films submitted in preparation for announcing the list of films competing for the festival’s awards, which will be held from 3 to 12 January 2025 in Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve. The competition includes four categories: documentaries, animation, live-action, and films made using artificial intelligence. Eligible works will be selected based on a set of criteria related to quality and content.