OMAR GOES TO THE OSCARS

The film Omar was named on the final list of nominations in the foreign language category in this year’s Academy Awards, following on from Paradise Now, which earned director Hany Abu Assad her first Oscars nod in 2006.

Shot in both Israel and the West Bank, Omar follows the story of a young Palestinian baker (Adam Bakri) – who must deal with issues of love, trust and betrayal while fighting Israeli occupation. It opened the 2013 Dubai International Film Festival, and earned the Best Film in the Muhr Arab feature competition, along with Best Director for Abu-Assad.
 

Omar’s recognition marks the first time Dubai will get its name attached as producer to an Oscar nomination, with the film partly financed by DIFF’s own Enjaaz fund.