The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) has announced the first selection of short films that will participate in the Muhr Short Competition at the 14th edition of the festival, which is set to begin on December 6th. The lineup of films includes BONBONÉ, directed by Rakan Mayasi and A Drowning Man, directed by Mahdi Fleifel, both of which are distributed by MAD Solutions in the Arab world.

In less than 16 minutes, BONBONÉ follows a Palestinian detainee, who gets visited by his wife in an Israeli prison, where he serves his time. His wife performs a bold and innovative activity to satisfy their secret desires.

The film's world premiere was held at the 42nd Toronto International Film Festival, where it competed in the Short Cuts Competition, and it is set to be released in theaters soon.

Written and directed by Rakan Mayasi, Bonboné stars Saleh Bakri, Rana Alamuddin and Nadera Omran. BONBONÉ is produced by Groundglass235 in co-production with The Postoffice and Mad4Films, in association with db Studios. MAD Solutions is responsible for distributing the film across the Arab world and Salaud Morisset is responsible for international distribution.

A Drowning Man was the only Arab participation in the Short Films Competition at the Cannes Film Festival 2017. It also took part in the Short Cuts Competition at the Toronto International Film Festival.

The film revolves around a refugee who is alone and far from home, as he makes his way through a strange city looking for the means to get through his day. Surrounded by predators, he is forced to make compromises merely to survive, his life of exile grows one day longer.

Written and directed by Mahdi Fleifel, A Drowning Man stars Atef Alshafei, Jalal Qaniry, Mounir Alkhateeb, Rebih El-Saleous, and Thymios Koukios. It is produced by Final Cut for Real, Nakba Film Works, and distributed by MAD Solutions in the Arab world and Salaud Morisset is responsible for international distribution.

DIFF is one of the most important film festivals in the Arab world. In each edition, DIFF showcases over 120 features, shorts films and documentaries from around the world and will include several world premieres. Every year DIFF presents new and exciting cinema from the Arab world and beyond, introducing audiences to fresh, new talent and original and distinctive filmmaking.