The Abu Dhabi Film Festival (ADFF) will return for its seventh edition this year from Oct 24 to Nov 2.

The ten day programme of Arab and international cinema will feature red carpet premieres and a numerous events.

The festival presents films in eight sections. New feature length and short works compete for Black Pearl Awards in the Narrative, Documentary, New Horizons, International Shorts and Emirates Film Competition programmes.

Other recent films, retrospectives and restored classics are presented in the Showcase and Special Programmes sections. More information on the programme will be released in the lead up to the event.

Like the 2012 edition, there will be a focus on education, providing learning and development opportunities through masterclasses, workshops and industry meetings, delivered by regional and international film experts.

Ali Al Jabri, ADFF festival director, said: “ADFF is currently the only Festival in the region where Arab films are screened alongside international productions in competition, which has allowed the festival to attract the most important Arab produced films. 2013 will be no exception.”

The ADFF is presented by the Abu Dhabi Media Zone Authority.