Six of the UAE’s (United Arab Emirates) aspiring filmmakers have been shortlisted to move onto the final stage of ‘The Reel Dubai’ competition, a joint initiative between Samsung, the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF). and the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).

Launched on February 1st, the contest received a wide range of submissions from budding filmmakers, of which the following contestants were chosen: Mohammed Mamdouh, Juleus Dmello, Roozbeh Kafi, Hala Makhlouf, Kamil Roxas, and Mohammed Njati.

[ Lionsgate and Samsung Announce “Insurgent – Shatter Reality” ]

The shortlist was decided by a panel of judges consisting of representatives from DIFF, DTCM and Samsung. The same panel will select the winning filmmaker, awarding them the opportunity to screen their film showcased at The Short Film Corner at the 68th Cannes Film Festival in May, 2015. The second and third place runners up of the competition will be awarded a Samsung device.

[ Also Read: Taj Group Announces Opening of Taj Dubai ]

The six shortlisted filmmakers will receive a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and $5,000 to fund the making of their film and work with three of the UAE’s acclaimed filmmakers – Ali F. Mostafa, Nayla Al Khaja and Mohammed Saeed Harib.

They will each mentor two filmmakers to help them create captivating stories in line with #MyDubai, an initiative launched by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.

Photo courtesy: DIFF