This year, IWC Schaffhausen marked another successful presence at the Dubai International Film Festival, which debuted on December 9th and will run until December 16th. For the 4th consecutive year, the Swiss watchmaker hosts the esteemed IWC Filmmaker Award. Presented by the IWC brand ambassador Dev Patel at the One&Only Royal Mirage in Dubai, the award went to Layla Kaylif for her film “The Letter Writer”.
The winning project was selected from three shortlisted scripts by a jury that comprises DIFF Artistic Director Masoud Amralla Al Ali, Palestinian director Hani Abu-Assad and Tunisian actress Hend Sabry, along with IWC CEO Georges Kern and DIFF Chairman Abdulhamid Juma.
The event was attended by VIP guests and celebrities, including IWC brand ambassador Dev Patel, American actor Richard Dreyfuss, British-Emirati filmmaker Ali Mostafa and Lebanese actress Razan Jammal – to name a few.
Founder of Dubai-based film production company Canopus Films, aspiring Emirati director Layla Kaylif presented her latest romantic drama feature “The Letter Writer”, which tells the story of deception and lies. Khalifa, a young boy, uses his skills as a professional letter writer for personal gain at the expenses of his trusting customers. He befriends and assists Mr. Mohammed, the owner of a drapery shop, to communicate with his secret love, Elli. However, when Khalifa sees Elli for the first time, he instantly falls in love with her and tries to win her affection behind Mr. Mohammed’s back.
“This year, yet again, we have received numerous applications for great films that have immensely impressed us. We are proud to see the talents of the region take such great steps forward, and we look forward to further supporting and contributing to the art of filmmaking in the region as a whole,” expressed Georges Kern, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen.
Mirella Haddad
