The international I-Film festival in Abu Dhabi honored Emirati actor Mansoor Al-Filai with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Al-Filai, whose career spans 36 years, emphasized the importance of international recognition for an artist, stating that such awards motivate him and confirm he is on the right path. He expressed regret that some countries only remember their artists after their death. During the festival, Al-Filai announced a new Emirati-Indian co-production titled 'Old Buddies.' He explained the idea for the film emerged during festival preparations, noting it is a comedy because the genre unites people of different nationalities. Al-Filai stressed that in collaborative works, it's crucial to respect different cultures, avoiding politics, religion, and racial prejudice. The film 'Old Buddies,' starring Al-Filai alongside Indian actor Naseer Mahbub, was also premiered. Director Mansoor Al-Filai described the story as a friendship between an Emirati and an Indian who has lived in the UAE since childhood. He also criticized film piracy and illegal distribution, arguing that it ruins the quality and deprives viewers of the cinematic experience. Al-Filai thanked the festival organizers and everyone he has worked with throughout his career, including his first teacher, Dr. Habib Ghuloom. The festival featured 32 short films from around the world, including 6 Emirati and several Arab productions, along with new competitions like AI, creative minds, photography, and more.
