The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) is set to return on December 8, 2027, marking the revival of the event after a decade-long hiatus. The announcement was made by Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council, during the Arab Media Summit in Dubai on September 17, 2026. The returning festival will be the 15th edition of DIFF and will introduce a new format focused on Middle Eastern cinema and talent.
The festival was first launched in 2004 with the aim of making Dubai a gateway for Arab cinema to international audiences. It subsequently ran for 14 editions, becoming a platform for films and filmmakers from the Arab world alongside international cinema. The festival was last held in December 2017, before going on hiatus.
According to the Dubai Media Council, the revived festival will build on DIFF’s previous legacy while responding to changes in the regional and international film industry. Its first edition under the new format will place particular emphasis on Middle Eastern cinema and filmmakers, with the stated aim of giving regional stories and creative voices greater access to audiences and international markets.
The new festival will also operate as an industry platform rather than focusing solely on film screenings. Its programmes and initiatives are expected to bring together filmmakers, producers and other industry professionals to discuss projects, industry developments and potential collaborations. The Dubai Media Council said the festival will seek to connect filmmakers with producers, talent with investors and creative ideas with markets.
Emerging filmmakers will be another focus of the returning event. The organisers have said the festival will create opportunities for new talent to enter the industry, develop their skills and gain experience. The programme will showcase both established and emerging creative voices, with particular attention to stories from the UAE, the Gulf and the wider Middle East.
DIFF’s previous editions included several initiatives designed to support filmmakers and film projects. These included the Enjaaz Fund, which provided post-production support, as well as the Dubai Film Connection and Dubai Distribution Programme. During its original run, the festival also hosted the Muhr Awards, which recognised Arab and regional filmmaking talent.
The festival’s previous record included a substantial number of regional and international screenings. By its final edition in 2017, DIFF was screening 140 films from 51 countries, while 13 films by Emirati directors were selected for world premieres, according to The National. Earlier editions also featured hundreds of Arab films and supported regional projects through its industry programmes.
The Dubai Media Council said the return of DIFF is part of the development of Dubai’s film and production sector and its wider creative economy. Hesham Sultan Al Olama, CEO of the Dubai Films and Games Commission, said the festival’s return would create new opportunities for filmmakers and strengthen the international reach of regional cinema.
Further details about the 2027 edition, including its programme, participating films and additional initiatives, are expected to be announced at a later stage. The organisers have said the revived festival will work with partners and members of the creative community in the UAE, across the region and internationally.
With its return scheduled for December 8, 2027, DIFF will begin a new chapter centred on Middle Eastern cinema, emerging talent and connections between regional filmmakers and the wider international film industry.
