Brussels:The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Brussels organized an Emirati Cinema Night at the Centre for Fine Arts (BOZAR), showcasing Emirati filmmaking to European policymakers, cultural institutions, and diplomats.

According to Emirates News Agency, the event was hosted by Mohamed Ismail Al Sahlawi, UAE Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg, and the European Union, and attracted more than 200 guests from the Brussels cultural and diplomatic circles. In his opening remarks, Ambassador Al Sahlawi highlighted the UAE's thriving media sector, which includes over 10,000 media companies and 55,000 media professionals, noting its rapid growth rate of over 11 percent annually.

The evening featured the works of three Emirati filmmakers. Nawaf Al Janahi presented his short film "Somewhere in Time," while Abdulla Al Kaabi showcased "The Philosopher." Both filmmakers were present at the event. The program's centerpiece was a private preview of "Voice of the Waves," a documentary by Nahla Al Fahad and co-director Jibin Jose, focusing on fisherwomen in India and Sri Lanka.

Ambassador Al Sahlawi emphasized the power of cultural exchange and cinema as tools of "quiet diplomacy," fostering understanding beyond traditional diplomatic means. He noted the UAE's outward-looking approach, historically as a trading hub and today as a globally connected nation.

The screenings were complemented by "Behind the Frame," a photographic exhibition illustrating the craft of Emirati filmmaking. The event concluded with a discussion on Emirati storytelling, the growth of the national film sector, and cinema's role in fostering cross-cultural understanding.

The Emirati Cinema Night is part of the UAE Embassy's cultural diplomacy efforts in Brussels, aimed at enhancing people-to-people connections alongside political and economic cooperation with Europe. The UAE has made significant investments in its creative industries, supporting film production, training, and infrastructure as part of its economic diversification strategy.