IWC Schaffhausen strengthens its support for the Dubai International Film Festival

Dubai, September 19, 2013: The Swiss luxury watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen has strengthened its partnership with the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) and will come on board as a ‘Supporting Sponsor' and Official ‘Festival-Time' Partner alongside the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) and the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA) for the 10th edition of the Festival, which runs from 6 to 14 December 2013.

The extended commitment from IWC is the result of a successful partnership over the past three years in which IWC has served as the Official ‘Festival-Time' Partner of the Gulf Film Festival and DIFF. In 2012, IWC and DIFF launched the IWC Filmmaker Award to support Gulf filmmakers and the production of a feature-length fiction film with an award that offers a cash prize of USD 100,000 to help the winner transfer their vision to the screen. Last year's Academy Award winner and IWC Friend of the Brand Cate Blanchett, who was appointed head of the jury of the IWC Filmmaker Award, presented the award to Iraqi-Emirati director Maysoon Pachachi, of “Nothing Doing in Baghdad”.

Submissions have now closed for the second year of the IWC Filmmaker Award, and three submissions will be shortlisted by an independent jury in October before IWC presents the award to its selected winner during the 10th Dubai International Film Festival.

Abdulhamid Juma, Chairman of the Dubai International Film Festival said: “DIFF is pleased to announce this new level of support. It's a pleasure working with IWC Schaffhausen, who so actively encourage the development of the region's film industry, and we look forward to celebrating another year of exceptional filmmaking with them.”

IWC's commitment to the film industry as a patron of the arts
The common ground for IWC and the film industry is storytelling. For years now, IWC has been inspired to sponsor the film industry and its most promising young talents. With its various film partnerships around the globe, such as the Tribeca Film Festival and the Beijing International Film Festival, and its annual Filmmakers Dinner at the Cannes International Film Festival, IWC has a wealth of opportunities to express its passion for film. The company is also known for its growing number of Friends of the Brand such as Cate Blanchett, Kevin Spacey and many others. Karoline Huber, Brand Director IWC Middle East & India, comments on the extended partnership with DIFF: “We are delighted to be strengthening our ties with DIFF to further support them in achieving a mutually shared vision of promoting regional talent in the film industry and bringing the very best of films to audiences in the UAE. IWC is proud to support the local film industry as storytelling is not only the essence of filmmaking but also part of IWC's brand DNA.”
 
About DIFF

The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) is the leading film festival in the region. Since its inception in 2004, the festival has served as an influential platform for Arab filmmakers and talent at an international level, by spearheading the cinema movement in the region. The 10th edition of DIFF is set to take place between December 6 – 14, 2013.

Dubai International Film Festival supports Expo 2020 Dubai Bid, UAE, is presented by The Investment Corporation of Dubai and held in association with Dubai Studio City. Dubai Duty Free, Emirates Airline and Madinat Jumeirah, home to the Dubai International Film Festival, are the principal sponsors of DIFF. The Festival is supported by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award and IWC Schaffhausen. For more and updated information about DIFF, please visit www.diff.ae or join DIFF on     and 

IWC SCHAFFHAUSENWith a clear focus on technology and development, the Swiss watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen has been producing timepieces of lasting value since 1868. The company has gained an international reputation based on a passion for innovative solutions and technical ingenuity. One of the world's leading brands in the luxury watch segment, IWC crafts masterpieces of haute horlogerie at their finest, combining supreme precision with exclusive design. As an ecologically and socially responsible company, IWC is committed to sustainable production, supports institutions worldwide in their work with children and young people, and maintains partnerships with organizations dedicated to climate and environmental protection.