Dubai International Film Festival to return in December 2027

If you’ve been in Dubai for more than 10 years, you will most likely remember the Dubai International Film Festival. It’s been a decade since it last appeared on our calendars, but it’s set to return to the city in December 2027. Mona Al Marri, Director General of the Government of Dubai Media Office, announced the return at the Arab Media Summit. Set to take place from December 8, the Dubai International Film Festival will enter a new phase dedicated to celebrating films and filmmakers from across the Middle East. Al Marri said the ambition goes beyond the festival itself, with Dubai looking to support the growth of the film industry, champion a new generation of creators and become a place where Arab stories can find audiences around the world. The festival has historically celebrated Arab filmmakers, giving them a platform to showcase their work, while also screening major international films. DIFF began with a modest line-up focused largely on regional cinema. As the festival grew, so did its international reach. By 2024, DIFF had evolved into a major celebration of cinema, screening more than 150 films from over 50 countries. Some of the world’s biggest films premiered at the Dubai International Film Festival, including Slumdog Millionaire and The King’s Speech. One of the festival’s biggest moments came in December 2011, when Tom Cruise jetted into Dubai to attend the world premiere of Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol. Yep, this was the one where he performed his much-talked-about exterior climb of the Burj Khalifa.