Abu Dhabi fest to link films, backers

Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, said it plans an international film festival aimed at coupling movie projects with banks, hedge funds and other financial companies investing in cinema.

The announcement comes months after the emirate set out its designs for an island art complex that will include the Louvre Abu Dhabi museum and the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi art museum.

Organizers of the Middle East International Film Festival, to be held Oct. 12-17, gave no details on how much the Abu Dhabi government may invest. Nor would they list film talent or lenders taking part. Details will be released in coming weeks, they said.