The Circuit

Every inch of space inside the AFM's main hub at the Loews is sold, so it's no surprise the ambitious Dubai Film Festival would try to carve out some promo space somewhere.  Their answer?  Variety's Patrick Frater pointed out the scorched, desert city is giving away its second most precious asset - water.


Across town, AFI FEST filmmakers were given their stuff in cool bag made from festival trash - years of obsolete, old light pole banners.  A company called RetroActif took the banners out of the warehouse, scrubbed them, and sewed them up with padding - finally making a festival bag that you aren't embarrassed to carry.  The signage on the surface is refreshingly restrained, too.


The camera line at the AFI FEST Village.  "4 months, 3 weeks, 2 days" filmmaker Cristian Mungiu answers questions.  Like "Juno," his film has also had a great festival run.  Screenings here were sold out.


AFI FEST's Filmmmakers Lounge, as the crowd watches silent short films with a DJ accompaniment. Glowing in the center, the Rabbi reports.  (aka Mark Rabinowitz, festival fixture).