Discovery Networks in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), a division of the non-fiction media company Discovery Communications, announced that a new short film will be screened at the Middle East International Film Festival in Abu Dhabi, which takes place Oct. 14-19. Karin Heijink, channel director of emerging markets at Discovery Networks Europe, said, "It is amazing news for us. We have a number of programs on Discovery Channel that feature the Middle East, but it is the first time we produced short films in the region. In the near future 'Desert Heat' and other short films we are working on will be shown on the Discovery Channel around the world. Donald Harding, managing director of Don Productions - the film's producers- added, "It was a fantastic experience working with an internationally acclaimed brand like Discovery Channel. We are looking forward seeing 'Desert Heat' and other films on Discovery Channel. The festival, hosted by the Authority for Culture and Heritage in Abu Dhabi, celebrates cinema and is dedicated to bringing a diverse slate of international films to the community. It also aims to introduce filmmakers from around the world to the resources of the region. Over the six-day period the Middle East International Film Festival will present a diverse selection of regional and international films, with an emphasis on emerging artists. The short film "Desert Heat, commissioned by Discovery Networks Europe, features two young Arab men with a passion for hip-hop and was selected from over 700 entries. It was screened before the feature film I Love Hip-Hop in Morocco on Oct. 15 and 16.
