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Less than five years ago, three major film festivals in the Middle East took place and each lured Hollywood stars eager to court the rapidly developing region. But now two are gone, and another has been dramatically scaled back.
The Dubai International Film Festival, launched in 2004, welcomed the likes of Oliver Stone, Cate Blanchett, Owen Wilson and Tom Cruise, who hosted the world premiere of Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol there in 2011, near the famed Burj Khalifa tower used in the film. The UAE capital of Abu Dhabi made a challenge in 2007 with its own event. And in 2009, the Doha Tribeca Film Festival launched with Robert De Niro’s backing.
But now Abu Dhabi and Doha have ended, and severe cuts hit…
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by Alex Ritman