Todd Solondz, Abderrahmane Sissako and music duo Air among those to give masterclasses.

The fifth Abu Dhabi Film Festival (Oct 13-22) will host master classes from Todd Solondz, Abderrahmane Sissako and French electronic music duo Air as well as a discussion with Michael Brandt and Derek Haas, the writers of The Double, which is having its world premiere at the festival.

The festival will host discussions on the effect of the Arab Spring on filmmaking, the relationship between Naguib Mahfouz and cinema and the future of independent productions in the Arab region.

The festival will also launch anticipated drama Sea Shadow, the first Emirati film from Image Nation Abu Dhabi on Oct 19.  

Developed and produced by Image Nation Abu Dhabi and directed by Emirati director Nawaf Al-Janahi, the film will go on general release throughout the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain from Nov 17.