Submissions to ZUMEFF 2022 | The Future of Film are now closed.
This year we have received over 1,300 films across 5 categories. We can't thank the filmmakers enough for submitting their works to this year’s Zayed University Middle East Film festival.
Please make sure to follow our social media channels and the official ZUMEFF website (zumeff2022.com) for all the updates as we head into the quiet phase of the process where our talented judges begin pre-screening all submitted films.
Stay tuned!
#ZUMEFF2022 #TheFutureofFilm
AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT
I wrapped my first Conqueror Virtual Challenge of the summer here in Mexico today. 57 miles of fast paced walking as alas, I have no bike here. Quite the change of pace from riding through the burning heat of Dubai. I must admit the much cooler temps here in Mexico City have been wonderful. Not so wonderful, my not-for-walking Nike trainers. Recycled and ecologically friendly, but not so wonderful for the treacherous landscape that is the sidewalks of CDMX. Also, while my current Apple Music playlist has done wonders to keep me moving at a brisk pace, I'm open to suggestions for a new high intensity soundtrack from my next challenge. Any suggestions on new shoes and new music are welcomed as I start the 38 miles of the Easter Island challenge tomorrow!
#ConquerorChallenge #KokodaTrail
WHAT DREAMS MAY COME
Having recently watched Independence Day as an attempt at escapism on July 4th, I decided to explore aliens visiting earth as a topic while diving into the new and exciting world of AI-generated art. With the aid of Midjourney and the simple prompt of: "imagine aliens coming to earth", an array of images were generated in just a few seconds. The results are found in this short video. I have done nothing to the images other than set them to music. This sort of creative power is in its infancy and is both exciting and scary.
Audio: “Black Mass” by Brian Bolger from YouTube Studio Audio Library.
A VERY CONFLICTED JULY 4th MESSAGE
On this July 4th, I find myself very conflicted. Conflicted by the current state of America and indeed issues taking place in the rest of our world.
I am British by birth and American by passport. I am a citizen of the world who is fortunate to have had very dynamic international experiences. I have lived in England, America, Germany, Singapore, Mexico and the UAE. It is this background and perspective that has me shaking my head with disappointment as to the current state of the 50 states that make up the United States of America. I am very concerned by the division and fragmentation taking place in the US.
Growing up in Leeds, England, from a very early age, I was exposed to the diverse technicolor beauty that was America from wonderful stories told to me by my aunt Marjorie. These stories, and of course, American movies and music from the 80's, shaped my youth, showed me a diverse, dynamic landscape, and exposed me to stories that were the reason for my wanting to move to America from a very young age.
I now have three children born in America, and several years ago, I became a US citizen. Alas, at the time of me becoming a US citizen, the country was very fragmented and heading headlong into all that occurred in the lead-up to and indeed on January 6th. With all that has recently gone on, and all the challenges on the horizon, all I can hope for this 4th of July is for patience, compassion, love and level-headed leadership for a country that currently seems very broken.