Student film festival ZUMEFF's 15th edition showcases creative depth

The 15th edition of the Zayed University Middle East Film Festival (ZUMEFF) took place on November 20-21 across Madar 39 in Abu Dhabi and the Zayed University campuses in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. As the region's longest-running student film festival, ZUMEFF marks significant milestones year after year, serving as a platform where emerging talent takes centre stage, stories from the region find visibility, and students gain the confidence to break into the creative industries. Madar 39 is a curated space in Abu Dhabi, where creative entrepreneurs grow ideas into thriving businesses.

- Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer

Participants at ZUMEFF 2023 A ZUMEFF with a programme card. A film being screened.

Organised by students from the College of Communication and Media Sciences with close faculty mentorship, ZUMEFF champions the principle of student-led creativity.

This year, the festival received nearly 500 submissions from across the Middle East, with 27 films selected for screening and competition.

The 2025 theme, Celebrating community one film at a time, aligned with the UAE's Year of Community and reflected ZUMEFF's mission to use storytelling as a pathway for connection, empathy, and social awareness.

The 2025 ZUMEFF awards ceremony brought together filmmakers, faculty members from universities across the UAE, alumni, and media professionals. The event became a space where aspiring filmmakers could network, discuss potential collaborations, and receive feedback that could guide future projects. Many participants described ZUMEFF as a "creative meeting point" — a place where the region's next generation of visual storytellers could connect and grow. This year’s festival featured five award categories, each acknowledging the diversity, originality, and technical skill of student filmmakers.