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META Film Fest to Return to Dubai in November

The annual festival showcases the best of international films. WAM
The annual festival showcases the best of international films. WAM
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META Film Fest to Return to Dubai in November

The annual festival showcases the best of international films. WAM
The annual festival showcases the best of international films. WAM

META Film Fest, the star-studded, four-day international motion picture gala, will return to Dubai for its second edition from November 9 to 12, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.

The annual festival, which showcases the best of international films, promises an extraordinary celebration of cinema for filmmakers, industry professionals, and movie lovers alike, WAM said.

The META Film Fest 2023 will focus on delivering an unparalleled experience through its emphasis on quality content, workshops and masterclasses tailored for budding filmmakers, premieres of cutting-edge independent and studio-produced films, and a prestigious, high-profile judging panel.

With the support of content partners such as the Royal Film Commission – Jordan, Papillon Creative, Frontrow Entertainment, and MAD Solutions, and Festival Partners including Cinema Akil, the META Film Fest is set to bolster Dubai’s Creative Economy and support the UAE’s National Strategy for the Cultural and Creative Industries. The four-day celebration of films will take place at VOX Cinemas, Wafi City.

“This year’s META Film Fest will cement Dubai’s position and capability as a hub for filmmakers and creatives to congregate, share knowledge, and promote their own and their peers’ work. The festival garners immense appreciation from movie enthusiasts and industry professionals, and this year’s edition will see significant growth in the number and caliber of films being shown,” said Founder of META Film Fest Leila Masinaei.

The META Film Fest adopts an independent, objective approach in its shortlisting process, ensuring the best of the regional industry is spotlighted at the event. Over the four days, it will show more than 70 movies from 20+ countries, host 10+ workshops, and welcome more than 50 global celebrities and 15,000 attendees. The incredible roster of shortlisted films will be announced in the coming weeks, WAM said.

This year's awards will span 12 categories, covering feature films, short films, documentaries, debut works, student projects, films with a sustainability focus, and newly introduced special categories to celebrate home-grown UAE talent.

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Entertainment

Jon M. Chu’s Immersive ‘Wicked’ Readies for Release

US singer and actor Ariana Grande (L) and British actor and singer Cynthia Erivo (R) on the green carpet at the UK premiere of "'Wicked" at the Royal Festival Hall in London, Britain, 18 November 2024. (EPA)
US singer and actor Ariana Grande (L) and British actor and singer Cynthia Erivo (R) on the green carpet at the UK premiere of "'Wicked" at the Royal Festival Hall in London, Britain, 18 November 2024. (EPA)
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Jon M. Chu’s Immersive ‘Wicked’ Readies for Release

US singer and actor Ariana Grande (L) and British actor and singer Cynthia Erivo (R) on the green carpet at the UK premiere of "'Wicked" at the Royal Festival Hall in London, Britain, 18 November 2024. (EPA)
US singer and actor Ariana Grande (L) and British actor and singer Cynthia Erivo (R) on the green carpet at the UK premiere of "'Wicked" at the Royal Festival Hall in London, Britain, 18 November 2024. (EPA)

The worldwide premiere tour for "Wicked" landed in London on Monday for a final outing ahead of the musical film's release, with director Jon M. Chu saying he hopes audiences will be moved by the spectacle.

The London leg of the tour, with previous stops in Sydney, Los Angeles, Mexico City and New York, was called "Emerald City," and featured a green carpet flanked with decorations inspired by the capital city of the Land of Oz.

Under a persistent drizzle, lead actors Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo and their co-stars Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum and Ethan Slater greeted screaming fans.

Chu was happy to soak in the atmosphere after missing the Los Angeles premiere due to the birth of his fifth child.

"It's a lot of emotions. We've worked many years on this movie. I worked just a little bit on the baby. To have them come out at the same time, that has to be a sign from somewhere to say that this movie is blessed," he said in an interview.

"Wicked" is based on Stephen Schwartz's musical of the same name, adapted from the 1995 book by Gregory Maguire. It tells the story of the green-skinned young woman Elphaba (Erivo) who goes on to become the Wicked Witch of the West from the classic children's novel "The Wizard of Oz".

Pop star Grande plays the privileged and popular Glinda whom Elphaba befriends at university.

"This is Wizard of Oz, this is Oz. It's iconic in cinematic history. We didn't want to disappoint," said Chu.

"We wanted to immerse people in the Land of Oz. We wanted to make you touch it and feel it in ways that you haven't been able to do. We wanted to make a big spectacle on the scale of 'Ben-Hur' and 'Lawrence of Arabia'."

The second installment of the two-part film series is slated for release in November 2025.

"We've shot part two. I'm cutting it right now, and it's a doozy. It's very exciting. If you like part one, get ready for a whole new ride!" Chu promised.

"Wicked" begins its global cinematic rollout on Nov. 20.