Arab films to showcase at TIFF

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) The 40th Toronto Film Festival (TIFF) will be screening three films by Arab filmmakers this year. The films, supported by the Dubai International Film Festival's (DIFF) film market, all deal with contemporary issues affecting the Arab region.

"We are delighted and extremely proud to have supported three highly talented Arab filmmakers who have been selected to showcase their work to international audiences at one of the most sought after slots in the film industry calendar," Masoud Amralla Al Ali, DIFF Artistic Director said.

Acclaimed Palestinian filmmaker, Golden Globe winner and two-time Oscar nominee, Hany Abu Assad's The Idol is one of the films that will be screening. The highly anticipated biopic, which will receive a 'Special Presentation' at TIFF, follows the story of Mohammad Assaf, the Gazan wedding singer who became a worldwide sensation after winning Arab Idol in 2013.

Award winning Palestinian filmmaker Mai Masri's 3000 Nights will also be joining TIFF. Inspired by the true stories of the children born in Israeli prisons, 3000 Nights focuses on a young Palestinian woman who discovers that she is pregnant during a prison revolt.

Debuting her first feature, As I Open My Eyes, is Tunisian director Leyla Bouzid. Set on the eve of Tunisia's Jasmine Revolution, the film follows an up-and-coming underground band as they are pulled in all directions by creativity and rebellion.

TIFF will run from September 10 - 20.